The future of quarterback Kyler Murray with the Arizona Cardinals is shaky, at best.
Murray is dealing with a foot injury that has landed him on injured reserve, but in his absence the Cardinals are finding more offensive success with Jacoby Brissett, who might retain the starting job even when Murray is healthy.
Thanks to the current situation, ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that Murray and the Cardinals are expected to have a discussion about his future with the team after this season.
Adding to that, Schefter is hearing that, when it's all said and done, Murray and the Cardinals separating is the most likely outcome.
The Cardinals must decide by this offseason whether to try to trade Murray, release him, or opt to pay another $19.5 million in guaranteed money that becomes due on the fifth day of the new league year in mid-March.
The Cardinals and Murray are expected to have extensive discussions to help determine whether to move forward together or go their own ways. Many sources believe the latter is the likely outcome, with one source saying this week that "a separation is imminent."
While Murray has indeed struggled this season, he's still an above-average starter, at worst, in the NFL.
He will almost certainly draw interest if he's made available via trade. We would not count on the Cardinals cutting him, though, as doing so would incur a much bigger dead-cap hit.
That said, two teams that could have interest are the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings, both of whom have an uncertain future under center.
Reports suggest the Steelers are happy enough with Aaron Rodgers that they'd like to keep him in 2026, but the future Hall of Famer is also 41 years old and he could very well retire, something he has hinted at already.
If Rodgers retires, the Steelers would be left with Mason Rudolph and Will Howard, neither of whom are attractive starting options.
When it comes to the Vikings, the jury is still out on J.J. McCarthy.
Granted, the second-year signal-caller did play well last week, but there's still a long way to go this season and if the Michigan product doesn't finish the year strong, the Vikings could opt to bring in a veteran starter in 2026.
If we had to bet on one, it would easily be the Steelers.
If Rodgers retires, Pittsburgh isn't going to go into next season with Rudolph, Howard and a rookie, assuming the Steelers draft a quarterback.
The trade price would have to be right and the Steelers will likely want Arizona to pick up some of Murray's robust contract. But if the stars align, we could definitely see Murray ending up in Pittsburgh in 2026.
More NFL News
- Steelers were snubbed by two wide receivers at the trade deadline
- Jets predicted to land exciting QB-WR duo to jumpstart offensive rebuild
- Steelers predicted to replace Aaron Rodgers with former 4,000-yard QB
- Bills, Jets named best fits for $110 million free-agent defender
- Lions, Broncos named best fits for free-agent guard with 1 Pro Bowl
- Omarion Hampton injury updates shows clear progress
- Bears' give surprise D'Andre Swift injury report update