The Arizona Cardinals face uncertainty with the Kyler Murray trade, while the Indianapolis Colts have quickly become a potential surprise destination. With questions lingering about Jones’ availability moving forward, speculation has started to grow about whether the Colts could explore a veteran option to stabilize the quarterback room if needed.
Kyler Murray Linked to Colts as Daniel Jones’ Recovery Creates QB Questions
According to Albert Breer (via Sports Illustrated), the Colts have become a likely landing spot for Murray. This could occur via a waiver process, allowing him to negotiate a minimum contract with another team.
The Cardinals would still pay a significant portion of his remaining guaranteed money, which is reported to be $36.8 million in guarantees over the next seasons (via Spotrac), generating a “dead cap” of approximately $55 million.
However, the franchise seeks to prevent another $19.5 million from 2027 from automatically becoming guaranteed on March 15.
“If the Colts re-sign Daniel Jones, both teams will have rehabbing quarterbacks who will have to really push to be back for the opener, and quarterback-friendly head coaches with strong development track records.”, said Breer.
“So if Murray goes to either, he’d get starter reps through spring and summer, perhaps an opportunity to play early in the year, and the chance to reset under Shane Steichen or Kevin Stefanski. Which wouldn’t be the worst thing (and I have heard Murray has interest in Indy).”
Murray has already posted an emotional message on social media, thanking the fans and apologizing for not being able to lead the organization to a Super Bowl title that would end the franchise’s 78-year drought. The franchise’s decision was motivated by a combination of below-expected performance in 2025 (hampered by injuries), the emergence of Jacoby Brissett as an effective replacement, and financial considerations.
Doubts about the use of QBs on the roster remain active in the Colts. Daniel Jones, who received the transition tag while recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon, creates doubts about his availability for the season’s start.
Given this context and considering Shane Steichen’s history with mobile quarterbacks like Jalen Hurts, the Colts’ interest in Murray is logical for experimenting with concepts such as RPO, play-action, and movement from the pocket.
Murray played only five games before suffering a serious foot injury against the Tennessee Titans, which sidelined him for the rest of the season and sealed his fate in Arizona.
Despite this, Murray, who ranks No. 3 in the PFSN QB Impact metric with a C grade, is one of the few players in history to record more than 3,500 passing yards and 400 rushing yards in each of his first three seasons in the NFL.
