General manager Monti Ossenfort created a massive void under center by releasing franchise quarterback Kyler Murray, who signed with the Minnesota Vikings. The Arizona Cardinals now need a reliable starter to execute new head coach Mike LaFleur’s offensive scheme. Alabama prospect Ty Simpson is quickly emerging as the perfect target.
Cardinals Could Target Ty Simpson Following Kyler Murray’s Release
Arizona holds the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. It can use that premium selection to grab a blue-chip offensive tackle before shifting its focus toward finding a new signal-caller. PFSN’s Ryan Guthrie recently highlighted why this specific pairing makes so much sense.
“The Arizona Cardinals stand out as one of the most logical destinations,” Guthrie said. “After moving on from former No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray, who’s now with the Vikings, Arizona faces a clear need at quarterback that it didn’t know it would have.”
Drafting Simpson third overall is a massive reach. He threw 28 touchdowns during an excellent 2025 campaign and finished his college campaign with 33 total touchdowns. He ranked 25th in PFSN’s CFB QB Impact Metrics with a score of 85.4.
Guthrie added, “For a team holding the No. 3 overall pick, selecting Simpson there may be considered too rich for his current value as a prospect. However, the Cardinals also possess an early pick in the second round, which gives them some flexibility to either draft him then or trade back into the late first, exactly as the New York Giants did with Jaxson Dart in the 2025Â NFL Draft.”
Trading into the late first round is a brilliant strategy. It allows the front office to secure the crucial fifth-year option on a rookie contract. That extra year of financial control is exactly how smart teams build deep championship rosters.
Why Simpson Fits Mike LaFleur’s Offense
LaFleur arrived in the desert, tasked with building a highly efficient offense. His system relies heavily on strict timing, quick processing, and receivers winning after the catch. He wants a passer who keeps the chains moving.
Simpson thrives in that exact structure. He operates like a traditional point guard, showing great patience in the pocket and rarely forcing the ball into heavy coverage. That disciplined approach is exactly what a first-year head coach needs.
“With new head coach Mike LaFleur in place, Arizona has an opportunity to reset at the position under the offensive guru to see what he can do with ‘his guy,'” Guthrie detailed.
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“Simpson could either compete early for snaps or develop behind a veteran bridge quarterback while learning the system. His steady play style would fit well in a structured offense looking to rebuild from the ground up.”
The Cardinals already boast excellent young weapons in Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride. Simpson simply needs to distribute the ball accurately and let those elite playmakers handle the rest.
