Graphics get a lot of run in the world of social media nowadays.
Most revolve around something tangible. Others are just downright silly.
As for where FanDuel Sportsbooks’ latest graphic suggesting a quarterback swap of Tua Tagovailoa for Kyler Murray falls, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist on which side of the fence it’s on.
With Tagovailoa’s sudden benching this week, Miami serves as another potential landing spot that could open up for Murray once his Arizona Cardinals tenure comes to its expected end this offseason.
How Murray potentially gets there, however, should not include a Tagovailoa tagalong to Arizona.
That seems like a linear move (if that) for an Arizona franchise that needs a serious answer at the position.
The time Murray (seven seasons) and Tagovailoa (six) have spent in the league has not been filled with consistent success.
Sure, there’s been some blips of good, but mainly a lot of failing in the expectations department.
Despite their respective tenures spanning beyond their rookie contracts, neither has a playoff win to show for them.
Their touchdown-to-interception ratio is nearly identical, too. Murray sits at 121-60 compared to 120-59 for Tagovailoa, who is also currently pacing the league with 15 picks in 2025.
Again, moving on from Murray to Tagovailoa seems counterproductive, especially for a current Cardinals regime that desperately needs to turn things around before even more heads roll beyond this offseason.
And that’s before even discussing contracts.
For as much as Murray’s contract might impact any sort of trade due to the price tag, Tagovailoa has that beat.
Per OverTheCap, Tagovailoa’s current deal would bring with it cap hits of $56.4 million, $53.4 million (fully guaranteed) and $65.8 million across the next three seasons.
For Murray, those numbers are $53.3 million and $43.5 million the next two seasons, followed by a $46.4 million club option in 2028.
Getting out from under Murray’s contract before the fifth day (March 15) of the new league year — when the quarterback’s $19.5 million roster bonus for 2027 kicks in — would leave behind $36.8 million in cash and $54.7 million on the cap for Arizona to deal with, according to OverTheCap.
Any team adding Murray via trade would then take on initial hits of $42.5 million and $36.3 million the next two seasons, per Spotrac.
If a team is truly looking to add Tagovailoa this offseason — given Miami does move on from him — letting the Dolphins eat up the $99 million of dead money that comes along with a release feels like the only move.
The Denver Broncos did something similar with Russell Wilson in 2023 and have since bounced back with a 12-2 mark and sit atop the AFC West this year.
Murray to Miami could be an avenue this offseason, as is the case for plenty of other QB-desperate teams. It’s just not going to include Tagovailoa.
