Where could Kyler Murray land? Three potential teams in free agency
Where could Kyler Murray land? Three potential teams in free agency
Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAYTue, March 10, 2026 at 10:59 PM UTC
0
In the offseason game of musical chairs for NFL quarterbacks, the number of open spots is dwindling.
Malik Willis is the new man in Miami at quarterback. His predecessor, Tua Tagovailoa, signed on to fashion an all-left-handed quarterback room in Atlanta. It's not official but almost all signs point to Aaron Rodgers returning for another go-around with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Las Vegas, ahead of likely taking Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, traded away Geno Smith to the New York Jets.
In Arizona, the Cardinals signed veteran Gardner Minshew II to add another experienced passer alongside Jacoby Brissett. That addition shores up that position after Arizona released longtime starter Kyler Murray.
Murray, 28, has spent his entire seven-year NFL career with the Cardinals after the team drafted him No. 1 overall in 2019. Where he lands next is a mystery but we’re getting a clearer picture as more teams fill their quarterback vacancies.
There are only so many spots that make sense for the former Pro Bowl passer. Here are three landing spots for Murray in 2026:
1 / 02026 NFL offseason tracker: Player signings, trades
OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans)
Kyler Murray landing spotsMinnesota Vikings
It’s a tough choice but the Vikings need a new quarterback - or at least a valid veteran starting option - in 2026. J.J. McCarthy may well grow into a viable starter with time but this is a win-now roster revolving around Justin Jefferson’s prime on offense.
The Vikings were in one of the worst financial situations in the league entering free agency at more than $40 million over the salary cap for 2026. However, they've managed to reduce that figure to just over $6 million above the cap, according to OverTheCap, as of Tuesday, March 10.
Minnesota won’t have to be concerned about significant salary cap implications for Murray, as Arizona is set to pay the bulk of the $36.8 million in guaranteed money to the quarterback. Murray will likely cost his new team the veteran minimum in 2026.
This move makes sense for Murray as well. The Vikings feature a solid ground game, premier wide-receiver talent and one of the league's better offensive play-callers. The marriage makes the most sense and Murray could provide the spark the Vikings need to contend for the NFC North title once again.
Advertisement
Cleveland Browns
Browns coach Todd Monken has plenty of options at quarterback in 2026. How good those options are is debatable. Second-year passers Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders could be the answer; former starter Deshaun Watson could be the top man instead.
If he’s dissatisfied with those choices and the Browns want to truly contend with one of the better defenses in the league, Murray could be an option.
Monken helped Lamar Jackson grow into an elite passer in Baltimore over the last three years. Jackson could’ve easily won two MVPs instead of one during Monken’s three years there. Jackson shed his reputation as a dynamic runner only and became one of the most well-rounded quarterbacks in the league.
Monken could use Murray’s dual-threat capabilities in a similar way and pair him with a promising young running back in Quinshon Judkins. There are plenty of questions about the Browns’ offensive line and weapons on offense but both could be at least partially answered with multiple first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
RAMS FREE AGENCY: How did LA do on signings and trades?
Los Angeles Rams
There aren’t any clear starting opportunities at this point for Murray outside of Minnesota and Cleveland. Every other team with questions at the position either added to their quarterback room in free agency, via trade or all but certainly will in the 2026 NFL Draft in the case of Las Vegas.
If Murray opts to spend a year on the bench as a backup (in a similar vein to Sam Darnold or Daniel Jones in recent years), Los Angeles may be his best bet. The franchise believes in Jimmy Garoppolo, but he's a free agent and the team could change course by getting a division foe’s former starter. Matthew Stafford will be in his age-38 season this year and the team is all-in to win the Super Bowl, at least judging by their offseason moves.
At some point, Stafford will retire and leave a huge vacancy on what’s been a near-perennial contender in the NFC West. Rams coach Sean McVay is one of the top offensive minds in the NFL, and Murray could use the year to learn more about the offensive system and philosophy. If the Rams don’t want to extend themselves too much for Stafford’s successor, Murray could be viewed as a potential low-cost off-ramp with extensions for stars on offense (Puka Nacua, Davante Adams) and defense (Jared Verse, Byron Young, Kobie Turner) looming in the not-too-distant future.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kyler Murray's landing spots have changed with NFL free agency
Source: “AOL Sports”
