Kyler Murray’s tenure with the Arizona Cardinals has seen plenty of peaks — highlighted by taking home 2019 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors — and valleys during his short NFL career. As he gets ready for his seventh season, Murray’s hold on the starting quarterback job might be getting loose.
If he doesn’t deliver in Arizona, the two-time Pro Bowler could be sent out the back door according to one plugged-in analyst.
Kyler Murray Receives Warning From NFL Analyst Nick Wright
Murray is the face of the Arizona Cardinals’ franchise, especially after inking a five-year, $230.5 million extension in 2022 that included $160 million in guaranteed money. He was expected to lead them to a Super Bowl, yet it hasn’t happened.
Speaking on a May 30 edition of “First Things First,” NFL analyst Nick Wright predicted a possible trade for the quarterback after the 2025 season. He even predicted a landing spot for the 28-year-old: the Pittsburgh Steelers, a team starving for a quarterback.
“After this year, they can cut, or more likely, trade him, and it doesn’t kill them cap-wise, actually gives them cap relief,” Wright said.
Wright went on speculate further on Murray’s future by claiming multiple teams could be interested in the quarterback if his tenure with the Cardinals ends. The Steelers were the first franchise to enter his mind as they continue to search for Ben Roethlisberger’s replacement three years after his retirement.
“I think that Kyler is going to be a guy, that if he’s healthy all year, there are teams that can talk themselves into him,” Wright said. “And I think that the Cardinals might feel like, ‘All right, we’ve seen him his whole career. We know who he is and who he isn’t, and at that price point, it doesn’t make sense for us.’
“So, I buy this because I don’t think the Cardinals are all of a sudden going to be back in the playoffs. Kyler Murray, future Pittsburgh Steeler.”
The Steelers find themselves between a rock and a hard place at quarterback. As things stand, Mason Rudolph is likely to start in Week 1, unless Aaron Rodgers makes up his mind and signs on the dotted line. They also drafted Ohio State’s Will Howard in the sixth round.
Murray, who will turn 28 on Aug. 7, could give the Steelers more than a decade if it works out. He finished No. 16 in PFSN’s QB+ metrics.
Exploring Other Potential Landing Spots, Including Dolphins, Jets, Vikings
Two other potential landing spots make a ton of sense for Murray.
The Miami Dolphins are reaching a plateau with Tua Tagovailoa. Unless something changes, the oft-injured quarterback may have hit his ceiling. If Miami wants more and wishes to flip the script, a swap for Murray could be on the table.
The New York Jets went all-in on former first-rounder Justin Fields for 2025, but his deal expires after the 2026 season (via Spotrac). Moving on from Fields after only one year wouldn’t be the most surprising development. Murray brings a similar skillset to Fields, leveraging his great athleticism and ability to scramble, so the Jets wouldn’t have to alter their offensive scheme all that much.
Then, there is the Minnesota Vikings. They are banking on redshirt rookie J.J. McCarthy to pick up where Sam Darnold left off in 2024. The Vikings went 14-3 with Darnold at the helm, only to let him head to Seattle in free agency.
If the 2025 season ends in disaster, as many first-time starting quarterback seasons can, Murray could be an option for the Vikings.
