With limited QB options in 2026 NFL Draft, these three teams should eye Cardinals' Kyler Murray

Teams that will be shopping for a new franchise quarterback this offseason shouldn't count on finding one in the 2026 NFL Draft. 

On his updated QB board, ESPN's Jordan Reid lists just two QBs (Oregon's Dante Moore and Indiana's Fernando Mendoza) as true first-rounders. With that in mind, teams should consider trading for a QB, like Arizona Cardinals star Kyler Murray.

On Wednesday, the 3-5 Cardinals placed Murray — who hasn't played since Week 5 because of a foot injury — on injured reserve. Jacoby Brissett is set to remain the team's starter. That move could signal they're heading for a divorce this offseason. If Arizona places him on the trading block when the window reopens in March 2026, here are three teams that should target the 2019 No. 1 overall pick. 

New York Jets

The Jets (1-7) could be positioning themselves to take a QB in the 2026 draft after holding a fire sale before the trade deadline passed on Tuesday. But should a franchise that hasn't made the playoffs since the 2010 season roll the dice on Moore or Mendoza, prospects with questions?

Moore has attempted just 424 passes in three seasons at Oregon and UCLA. Mendoza, meanwhile, may lack the mobility needed to succeed in the modern NFL. He has rushed for 220 yards on 50 carries in nine games this season.

Murray is similar to Jets QB Justin Fields, but he doesn't suffer from the same accuracy problems. The two-time Pro Bowler has completed 1,974-of-2,941 passes (67.1%) in seven seasons with Arizona. Fields has completed 791-of-1,286 passes (61.5%) in five seasons with the Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears. 

New Orleans Saints

Recently benched QB Spencer Rattler isn't the answer for the Saints (1-8). Despite a limited sample size, the same could be said for rookie QB Tyler Shough. The former Louisville star has logged a subpar 34.6 QBR in three games and has a 0-1 starting record.

A mobile QB in Murray — who has 3,193 career rushing yards — would suit Saints rookie head coach Kellen Moore's system. He was the Eagles OC in 2024. That season, Eagles sixth-year QB Jalen Hurts had the third-most rushing yards (630 in 15 games) in his career. 

If the Saints acquired Murray, they could use their first-round pick to improve their defense, which is tied for 24th in the league in points allowed (27 PPG). They could select an edge-rusher, perhaps Miami's Rueben Bain Jr. Pro Football Focus credits him with the fourth-most pressures (44 in eight games) in the FBS.

Las Vegas Raiders

Despite signing him to a two-year, $85.5M contract extension in April, the Raiders may already want to ditch QB Geno Smith. Through the first nine weeks of the season, he and Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa led the league in interceptions thrown (11). 

Backup QB Kenny Pickett doesn't give the Raiders a viable replacement. The former Steelers/Eagles dud has thrown 15 TD passes and 14 interceptions in four seasons.

Having a franchise QB is critical in the AFC West, where Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs), Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers) and Bo Nix (Denver Broncos) await twice a year. Murray flashed star potential in his first three seasons, earning two Pro Bowl selections. Perhaps Vegas HC Pete Carroll, a Super Bowl champion, could help the 2019 Offensive Rookie of the Year get back on track.