The Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins are reportedly seeking trade opportunities for their veteran starting quarterbacks during the NFL offseason. Both teams appear motivated to move Kyler Murray and Tua Tagovailoa as part of broader roster adjustments.
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter has reported that the Cardinals are actively looking for a trade partner for Murray, while the Dolphins are exploring similar possibilities with Tagovailoa. Financial complexities related to guaranteed salaries for both players present significant hurdles for any potential deal.
Financial Challenges Impact Trade Feasibility
Trading Murray or Tagovailoa carries notable salary cap implications. Kyler Murray is owed $36.8 million guaranteed in 2026, whereas Tua Tagovailoa’s guaranteed salary for the same year is $54 million. These substantial financial commitments complicate efforts to find suitable trade arrangements.
Releasing the players outright would generate massive dead cap penalties. For example, dropping Murray before June 1 would saddle the Cardinals with a $54.7 million dead cap hit, while a similar move for Tagovailoa by the Dolphins would set an NFL record $99 million in dead money.
Although both quarterbacks could be designated post-June 1 cuts to distribute these charges across two years, the overall financial burden remains significant. Additionally, if Murray remains on the roster by March 15, $19.5 million of his 2027 base salary becomes guaranteed. Tagovailoa faces a similar trigger with $3 million of his 2027 salary becoming guaranteed on the same date.
Schefter also mentioned that the Dolphins might be willing to pay part of Tagovailoa’s contract to incentivize a trade, highlighting Miami’s desire to move in a new direction.
Player Profiles and Recent Performance
Kyler Murray, now 28, was the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Cardinals. Over seven seasons in Arizona, he has started 87 games, recording a 38-48-1 win-loss record with one playoff appearance. Murray’s passing stats include a 67.1 percent completion rate for 20,460 yards, 121 touchdowns, and 60 interceptions. He has also rushed for 3,193 yards and 32 touchdowns, showing notable dual-threat ability.
In 2025, Murray was limited to just five games due to a foot injury, prompting the Cardinals to shut him down early. Backup Jacoby Brissett filled in for 12 starts, managing a 1-11 record but posting respectable totals with 3,366 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, suggesting he could be a viable starter moving forward.
Tua Tagovailoa, turning 28 on March 2, was selected fifth overall in the 2020 draft by Miami. He has played in 78 regular-season games, including 76 starts, and holds a 44-32 record with a 68.0 percent completion rate for 18,166 yards, 120 touchdowns, and 59 interceptions.
His standout season came in 2023, when Tagovailoa led the NFL with 4,624 passing yards and threw 29 touchdown passes en route to his first Pro Bowl selection. However, injuries in 2024 and a decline in effectiveness throughout 2025 resulted in him being benched in favor of rookie QB Quinn Ewers for the Dolphins’ final three games.
Organizational Changes Fuel Desire for New Quarterbacks
Both franchises are undergoing significant transitions off the field. Miami parted ways with longtime general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel after finishing 7-10 in 2025, marking the team’s second straight year outside the playoffs. Similarly, Arizona replaced Jonathan Gannon with Mike LaFleur as head coach, signaling a shift in team direction.
Given these front-office and coaching changes, it is unsurprising that both organizations are open to revamping the quarterback position as part of their rebuild strategies.
Trade Talks Could Shape Franchise Futures
The Cardinals and Dolphins face a complex balancing act with Kyler Murray trade rumors and similar speculation around Tua Tagovailoa. Financial constraints and contract guarantees add layers of difficulty, but both teams’ eagerness to move forward at quarterback could lead to significant offseason moves.
How these situations unfold may greatly influence roster construction and team competitiveness in upcoming seasons. Fans and analysts will be closely watching whether trade deals materialize or if either player remains with his current club as new leadership seeks to establish their vision.
