The Arizona Cardinals went for a full franchise reset this offseason. Parting ways with Jonathan Gannon, they brought in Mike LaFleur to be their new head coach, while also severing ties with Kyler Murray.
Now, they enter a new era with a clear need at quarterback. For one analyst, though, the answer could present itself in the 2026 NFL Draft, as they go after a player who’s suddenly become very controversial, Ty Simpson.
Cardinals Replacing Kyler Murray Immediately
The former first overall pick was likely going to be the franchise cornerstone for the Cardinals for the foreseeable future. However, his pairing couldn’t work with his coach, and eventually he fell out of favor with the organization.
Now, he’s signed a one-year, prove-it deal with the Minnesota Vikings, leaving Arizona in the wild, searching for a new guy under center. So far this offseason, the only addition they’ve made to that group is Gardner Minshew.
But that cannot be the franchise’s long-term plan. As a result, Field Yates of ESPN thinks the answer could come in the form of following an example from last season. With their third overall pick, he wants the Cardinals to shore up on an edge rusher.
Then, following the New York Giants playbook, he has them trading back into the first round (for the 26th pick with the Buffalo Bills) to bring in the Alabama product. In his lone season as a starter, he threw for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns.
But after former NFL quarterback and analyst Dan Orlovsky called him the best quarterback in the draft ahead of Fernando Mendoza, there has been some controversy surrounding the Crimson Tide alum.
Calling him the “clear-cut second-best quarterback in this class,” Yates was still sold on what Simpson could bring to the Cardinals. “Through the early part of the 2025 season, Simpson stood out with his ability to navigate the pocket and throw with accuracy and power when he can set his feet.”
BE AN NFL GM: PFSN’s Ultimate GM Simulator
It would certainly be a bold choice for Arizona, who Alec Elijah of PFSN has going after other positions to shore up the rest of the roster and play the long game with its quarterback.
Instead, in his mock draft, he has Simpson falling to the second round, where the New York Jets pick him up with the 33rd overall pick to kickstart a new era under head coach Aaron Glenn.
