The Arizona Cardinals made significant changes this offseason after going 3-14. They moved on from head coach Jonathan Gannon and replaced him with Mike LaFleur, who previously served as the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams.
The team has decided to part ways with their $230.5 million quarterback, Kyler Murray. He had an impressive start to his career, winning the NFL Rookie of the Year award in 2019 and earning Pro Bowl selections in both 2020 and 2021. However, his career has been marred by injuries. A torn ACL caused him to miss the last five games of the 2022 season, and in 2023, he managed to play in only eight games. In 2025, a foot injury limited him to just five games.
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The team decided to release him, and he has subsequently signed with the Minnesota Vikings. This raises the question: What will the Cardinals do about their quarterback situation? Athlon Sports’ Luke Easterling predicts that they will trade the New England Patriots the No. 34 overall pick, the No. 143 overall pick and a fourth-round pick in 2027, in exchange for the No. 31 overall pick. With this selection, they are likely to draft Ty Simpson, the quarterback from the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) looks to pass.© Brett Davis-Imagn Images
(© Brett Davis-Imagn Images)
“If the Cards want to land Simpson, they might have to jump back into the first round to get ahead of the Jets at the top of the second,” Easterling wrote. “The division-rival Seahawks won’t want to help them land a potential franchise quarterback of the future, but the Pats wouldn’t mind making sure the Jets don’t get one. Simpson has some big question marks (lack of starting experience and high-end physical traits, inconsistent play down the stretch), but there were flashes of potential that could eventually be developed into a quality starter with the right supporting cast.”
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Simpson’s fit in Arizona would represent a clear philosophical shift at the quarterback position. Unlike Murray, whose game is built around improvisation, mobility and off-script playmaking, Simpson operates with timing and structure. He’s most effective when working within the rhythm of an offense, making quick reads and delivering accurate throws from the pocket, traits that align well with what LaFleur typically looks for in his system.
That contrast could ultimately benefit the Cardinals as they look to establish a more consistent offensive identity. Simpson’s 3,567-yard, 28-touchdown season showed his ability to manage an offense efficiently while limiting mistakes, something Arizona has struggled with amid injuries and inconsistency at quarterback. His style may not produce the same highlight-reel plays as Murray, but it could bring stability and sustainability to the position.
If developed properly, Simpson has the potential to grow into a long-term answer rather than a short-term fix. For a franchise resetting at quarterback, that kind of foundation could be exactly what Arizona needs to move forward.
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Related: ESPN’s Mel Kiper Predicts Jets to Take 3,500-Yard QB in 2026 NFL Draft
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.