As the NFL offseason approaches, the Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins are exploring options to trade their current starting quarterbacks, Kyler Murray and Tua Tagovailoa, respectively. Both teams want to find trade partners willing to take on the significant contracts these players hold, despite offering to cover some of the financial burdens themselves.
Financial Challenges Surrounding Tua Tagovailoa’s Contract
Tua Tagovailoa carries a contract with $54 million guaranteed in 2026, making it difficult for Miami to part ways without consequences. Releasing Tagovailoa outright would trigger a dead money salary cap hit of $99 million, which would set an NFL record. The Dolphins are open to subsidizing part of that amount to encourage a trade. However, Tagovailoa’s struggles during the previous season, which led to his benching, cast doubt on whether teams will offer even the value for a portion of his contract.
Despite these hurdles, the general consensus is that Tagovailoa and the Dolphins will part ways before the new season begins, though the route they take remains uncertain.
Kyler Murray’s Contract Situation and Trade Prospects
Kyler Murray’s guaranteed salary stands at $36.8 million for 2026, with an additional $19.5 million guaranteed for 2027 kicking in next March. The Cardinals could avoid the later guarantee by releasing him but would incur a total dead money cost of $57 million. Trading Murray, meanwhile, offers possible salary cap savings of nearly $35 million, making it a more appealing option if the Cardinals can secure a buyer.
The Cardinals are expected to request compensation in the form of a second- or third-round draft pick for Murray, though they may need to absorb part of his salary to close a trade. Prior to firing head coach Jonathan Gannon, Arizona seemed certain that Murray’s tenure with the team was ending.
Injury and Performance Issues Affecting Trade Outlooks
Murray’s 2025 season was cut short after an injury sustained in Week 5. He was kept on the active roster for several weeks but never returned to the field, with veteran Jacoby Brissett named the starting quarterback while Murray was placed on injured reserve for the remainder of the year.
Tagovailoa, selected No. 5 overall by Miami in the 2020 NFL Draft from Alabama, showed mixed results in the 2025 season. His completion percentage was 67.7, throwing for 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions across 14 games.
Contract History and Career Overview of Both Quarterbacks
Tagovailoa originally signed a four-year rookie contract valued at just over $30 million with a nearly $20 million signing bonus. Miami exercised his fifth-year option for 2024 at $23.2 million, then extended his contract for four years worth up to $212 million, including $167 million guaranteed.
Murray was the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft after foregoing a career in professional baseball despite being drafted by the Oakland A’s in 2018. His initial NFL contract was four years, $35 million, with a $23.6 million signing bonus. The Cardinals picked up his fifth-year option for 2023 valued at $29.7 million and later signed him to a five-year extension worth $230.5 million, including $160 million guaranteed.
In 2025, Murray played in five games, completing 68.3 percent of his passes for 962 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions, while also rushing for 173 yards and a touchdown.
Future Outlook for Trades Involving Murray and Tagovailoa
The Cardinals and Dolphins face significant financial and performance-related challenges as they aim to move on from their starting quarterbacks. Finding teams willing to absorb or share the heavy contract obligations will be critical in executing trades. The outcome of these potential moves will have a considerable impact on both franchises’ futures heading into the next NFL season. Updates regarding negotiations and confirmed trades involving Kyler Murray and Tua Tagovailoa are expected as the offseason progresses.
