The Arizona Cardinals are preparing for a significant transformation as they head into the 2026 NFL season. After dismissing head coach Jonathan Gannon and hiring Mike LaFleur, the former Rams offensive coordinator, the team took a bold step by announcing that quarterback Kyler Murray will be released at the start of the new league year.
This departure leaves Arizona without a clear-cut quarterback leading the franchise, despite carrying a hefty salary cap hit linked to Murray’s exit. As the Cardinals vie to rebuild around promising talents like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride, they must consider various quarterback options to guide their offense in 2026.
Veteran Quarterback Choices for Stability
Kirk Cousins as a Short-Term Stopgap
Currently, the Cardinals project to have approximately $30.7 million in available salary cap space before accounting for Murray’s release. For a roster undergoing transition, overspending on a quarterback may not be feasible this offseason. One potential route is signing a seasoned veteran to fill the position temporarily.
At 37 years old, Kirk Cousins still expresses a desire to start, and with his impending release from the Atlanta Falcons, he could represent an affordable option for Arizona. Cousins’ experience working with high-caliber receivers could benefit Harrison Jr., and he may help keep Arizona competitive while the team evaluates future quarterback prospects, including the 2027 draft class.
However, Cousins might seek a more serious playoff contender, and thus Arizona might find alternative veteran quarterbacks more suitable for their rebuilding timeline.
Jimmy Garoppolo Offers Familiarity and Experience
Another veteran the Cardinals could pursue is Jimmy Garoppolo, who recently served as a backup to Matthew Stafford with the Los Angeles Rams. Mike LaFleur’s previous coaching relationship with Garoppolo makes this pairing especially appealing. Garoppolo could act as a bridge starter while the Cardinals develop younger quarterbacks.
As ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler highlighted,
“can create a clean path to restart his quarterback room by adding at least one veteran and drafting a QB,”
with Garoppolo being a prime candidate. Although the Rams express interest in retaining Garoppolo, the chance to start in Arizona might be too good to decline.
The strategy of pairing a young quarterback alongside a veteran leader seems fitting for the Cardinals’ uncertain future at the position.
Emerging QB Prospects from the Draft
Drew Allar: Potential High-Upside Pick on Day Two
Alongside veteran options, Arizona is expected to evaluate promising quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft’s secondary rounds. The draft class is not considered particularly strong outside of the projected first overall pick, Fernando Mendoza, making it plausible for the Cardinals to take a developmental chance on other prospects.
Penn State’s Drew Allar stands out as a quarterback with considerable physical tools—measuring 6-foot-5 with a strong arm—and who could thrive in an appropriate offensive system under LaFleur. Though his draft stock slipped due to injury and opting out of the 2025 draft, Allar offers intriguing upside and could benefit from a veteran mentor in Arizona before becoming a starter.
.@PennStateFball QB Drew Allar can let it rip too2026 NFL Combine on @nflnetworkStream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/pTvJUOYoy0
Garrett Nussmeier: A Pocket Passer with Room to Grow
Another Day 2 quarterback drawing attention is Garrett Nussmeier, whose 2025 season outcomes caused him to slip slightly in draft projections. A former LSU player, Nussmeier could develop into a reliable pocket passer with time, especially if he learns behind experienced vets like Garoppolo, Brissett, or Cousins.
His decision-making and processing speed remain areas of concern, but the Cardinals’ patient approach could give Nussmeier the space to perfect his skills before taking meaningful snaps. Arizona may also monitor other late-round passer options such as Carson Beck and Cade Klubnik, balancing their choices accordingly.
Considering the Trade Market for Emerging Talent
Tyson Bagent Could Represent a Low-Cost, High-Reward Option
The Cardinals might also explore quarterback transactions via trade, though marquee names such as Tua Tagovailoa appear unlikely due to financial constraints. Among lesser-known backups, Chicago Bears’ Tyson Bagent has surfaced as a potential target commonly associated with Arizona.
Bagent, signed in 2023 and currently second-string behind Caleb Williams, has limited NFL experience with just four starts. Nevertheless, his cap hit is modest at $4.7 million in 2026, making him a low-risk prospect with possible upside if acquired at a reasonable price—ideally near or below a third-round trade value.
Securing Bagent through a trade would fit a strategy focused on developing young talent while minimizing financial risk.
The Viability of Current Roster Quarterback Jacoby Brissett
Arizona’s simplest quarterback option is Jacoby Brissett, who remains under contract for the 2026 season after signing a two-year, $12.5 million deal last offseason. Brissett delivered an improved performance over Murray during his 12 starts in 2025, throwing 23 touchdowns against eight interceptions while accumulating 3,366 passing yards.
Though the team’s record during those starts was a disappointing 1-11, Brissett helped create an offense that posed a legitimate passing threat, involving key targets like Trey McBride. At age 34, Brissett’s leadership and familiarity with Arizona’s personnel could provide a steady, short-term solution, although his $9.19 million cap hit might be a budgeting concern.
Malik Willis: Leading Young Free-Agent Prospect
Following Murray’s departure, Malik Willis has emerged as the top quarterback prospect entering free agency. Willis showed spurts of promise in limited action with the Green Bay Packers in 2025, amassing 422 passing yards and 123 rushing yards across four games. He is also believed to be familiar with Mike LaFleur’s offensive philosophies, given that LaFleur’s brother, Matt LaFleur, recently coached Willis.
Arizona has sufficient salary cap space to invest heavily in Willis if they view him as a viable franchise quarterback. Although not fully proven as a star yet, Willis is considered a potential long-term solution—one that the Cardinals have already been linked to this offseason. The team could be inclined to make a calculated gamble on his dual-threat potential and upside.
“Is there anyone who has a similar system or maybe even a similar name?”
NFL insider Ian Rapoport on Malik Willis landing spots and says the Cardinals make a lot of sense — Bo Brack
Ty Simpson: A Developmental Draft Pick with Promise
Among the 2026 draft prospects, Ty Simpson ranks as the second-best quarterback behind Mendoza but is not widely viewed as a top-10 pick material. The Cardinals hold the No. 3 overall draft pick but would likely avoid using it on a quarterback in this class. Instead, acquiring Simpson later—potentially with the No. 34 pick in the second round or through a trade up—could yield better value.
Simpson’s arm strength is not exceptional, but his footwork, mental processing, and adaptability have impressed scouts and fit well with LaFleur’s offensive schemes. He has reportedly met with the Cardinals and expressed confidence about the organization’s quarterback-focused culture.
“It was my first interview, and just super great organization,”
Simpson said, adding,
(General manager Monti Ossenfort) is a great guy. (Head coach Mike LaFleur) is a super ball guy. (Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett), all those guys, they love football. They’re a quarterback-driven organization, because they’re very familiar with the quarterback position.
I would love to be a Cardinal. I think that they’re a great organization. They got a young team and I would be super blessed to play for them.
Pairing Simpson with a veteran like Brissett could allow Arizona to nurture the rookie’s talents while providing a stabilizing presence at quarterback, similar to the blueprint indicated with Allar or Nussmeier.
If the Cardinals successfully draft top prospects like David Bailey or Arvell Reese and select Simpson in the later rounds, it could mark a strong draft class capable of reshaping the franchise’s future.
Implications and Next Steps as Arizona Rebuilds Its Quarterback Room
The Arizona Cardinals’ decision to move on from Kyler Murray signals a critical period of uncertainty and opportunity regarding their quarterback position in 2026. With Mike LaFleur at the helm, Arizona’s approach appears to balance short-term veteran leadership with longer-term quarterback development, targeting promising talent in free agency, trades, and the draft.
Malik Willis stands as the most tantalizing free-agent prospect, while rookies Drew Allar, Garrett Nussmeier, and Ty Simpson offer varying developmental profiles. Meanwhile, veterans like Kirk Cousins, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Jacoby Brissett provide options for bridging the gap during this transitional phase.
Arizona’s ability to manage its salary cap and draft resources effectively will be crucial. The team’s choices at quarterback will shape not only the 2026 campaign but also influence the trajectory of its rebuild and competitiveness for years ahead.
Sean said the Rams "absolutely" want to re-sign backup QB Jimmy Garoppolo.
"I love Jimmy. Would absolutely love him back."
McVay also said he has seen the reports that "Mike (LaFleur) wants to steal our guy" 😂
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) March 3, 2026
.@PennStateFball QB Drew Allar can let it rip too
2026 NFL Combine on @nflnetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/pTvJUOYoy0— NFL (@NFL) February 28, 2026
Have heard the Cardinals are intrigued by Bears backup QB Tyson Bagent. He has one-year left on his deal so would have to trade for him. Grew up in Martinsburg, West Virginia and went to Shepherd University. Was an undrafted free-agent who beat out PJ Walker for the backup job…
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) February 17, 2026
“Is there anyone who has a similar system or maybe even a similar name?”
NFL insider Ian Rapoport on Malik Willis landing spots and says the Cardinals make a lot of sense @PHNX_Cardinals pic.twitter.com/80z0FhNEIs
— Bo Brack (@BoBrack) March 1, 2026
