The Arizona Cardinals made significant changes this offseason, parting ways with head coach Jonathan Gannon and former No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray.
Murray had been with the team since 2019, during which he accumulated 20,460 passing yards, 121 touchdowns, and 60 interceptions. Additionally, he recorded 3,193 rushing yards and 32 rushing touchdowns.
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He had an outstanding start to his career, winning the NFL Rookie of the Year award in 2019 and making the Pro Bowl in both 2020 and 2021. However, he has faced multiple injuries since then. A torn ACL caused him to miss the last six games of the 2022 season, and he played only eight games in 2023. In 2025, a foot injury limited him to just five games.
The team released him during the offseason, and he has since signed with the Minnesota Vikings. Due to the lack of a future at quarterback, A to Z Sports’ Kyle Crabbs predicts that the Arizona Cardinals will trade with the Buffalo Bills in the 2026 NFL Draft. He anticipates that Arizona will receive the 26th pick, while Buffalo will acquire picks 34, 104, and a third-round pick in 2027. This trade would enable the Cardinals to select All-SEC quarterback Ty Simpson from the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty SimpsonDavid Leong-Imagn Images
(David Leong-Imagn Images)
“We get the Jaxson Dart trade all over again here as Arizona circles back to get their guy after loading up on offensive line in the top-5,” Crabbs wrote. “Mike LaFleur’s offense is going to look dramatically different than what we saw last year for the Cardinals. And that’s a good thing. Why does Arizona make this trade? Because Monti Ossenfort is on a bit of a warm seat, just like Joe Schoen was last year. He can’t afford to miss.”
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If the Cardinals execute a trade to draft Simpson, it would represent a major turning point for the franchise after moving on from Murray. The former No. 1 overall pick was once considered the centerpiece of Arizona’s future, but injuries and inconsistent availability ultimately forced the organization to look in a new direction. By trading up to select a quarterback, the Cardinals would signal a clear commitment to building their offense around a young passer.
The potential move would also reflect the urgency surrounding the franchise’s leadership. General manager Monti Ossenfort and the front office face pressure to stabilize the team following several difficult seasons. Simpson’s strong collegiate production, including 3,567 passing yards and 28 touchdowns this past season, suggests he could bring both upside and leadership to an offense that may look significantly different under head coach Mike LaFleur.
Looking ahead, Arizona’s strategy in the 2026 NFL Draft could define the next phase of the franchise. If the Cardinals do move up to select Simpson, it would mark the beginning of a new era at quarterback and potentially reshape the offense for years to come. The 2026 NFL Draft begins April 23 in Pittsburgh, where Arizona could make one of the most consequential moves of the event.
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Related: Cardinals Predicted to Draft Kyler Murray Replacement in Latest Mock Draft
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.