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The Arizona Cardinals are in quarterback purgatory. With Kyler Murray’s oversized contract, his inconsistent play, and his injury history, there needs to be a solution.
With the new league year approaching quickly, the Cardinals must find a long-term answer at quarterback.
Veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett is the only option on the roster with starting experience outside of Murray, but he doesn’t carry any long-term value.
Theo Mackie of the Arizona Republic discussed the options the Cardinals have in free agency, via the draft and potential trades at the position.
One option mentioned that could soon be on the trade block was incredibly intriguing.
Who Was Mentioned as an Option for the Arizona Cardinals?
The free agent market, outside of Green Bay Packers‘ Malik Willis, is barren at the quarterback position. In addition, the draft may be the weakest in years outside of Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza.
While the Cardinals do have a chance at Willis, Mendoza is likely heading to Las Vegas. This leaves the Cardinals with very little in the way of cheap long-term options.
But there are plenty of interesting quarterbacks that could soon be on the trade block.
Mackie mentioned New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler as a solid option for Arizona.
“Rattler is the highest-floor option who figures to be available via trade, coming off a season in which he was a viable starter for the Saints,” Mackie wrote. “Over the first eight weeks — before New Orleans turned to rookie Tyler Shough — Rattler averaged 198.3 passing yards per game with eight touchdowns and five interceptions. But his ceiling is likely somewhere around the 20th-best quarterback in the league. That makes him the trade version of Cousins, albeit younger: A fine starter, but not a clear upgrade from Brissett.”
Rattler would be an intriguing option for multiple reasons.
Once upon a time, Rattler was one of the top recruits in the nation, coming out of Pinnacle High School in Arizona. He broke multiple state passing records, becoming the top quarterback in the 2019 recruiting class.
What Else Does Rattler Bring to the Table?
Going into college, Rattler was considered to be a generational talent. But between Oklahoma and South Carolina, he couldn’t prove to NFL scouts that his talent was undeniable.
The Saints made him a fifth-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. He was the first quarterback selected outside of the first round, and seventh overall.
During his rookie season, Rattler was thrust into action after injuries to starter Derek Carr. He would have an unimpressive 0-6 record, with four touchdowns and five interceptions.
After Carr’s unexpected retirement, the Saints named Rattler the starting quarterback to open the season. In eight starts, he went 1-7, with eight touchdowns and five interceptions, including a loss against Arizona.
The Saints would bench Rattler in favor of second-round rookie Tyler Shough, who played well in the remaining nine games.
Given Rattler’s underwhelming start to his career, paired with the Saints having little leverage with Shough commanding the offense, Rattler’s trade value figures to be low.
However, his ability to evade pressure and elite arm talent make him an intriguing replacement for Murray. Entering his age-26 season, Rattler can very well turn things around and could still prove his talent.
He just may need a change of scenery that could very well take place in his home state.
Matthew Singer Matthew Singer is a sports reporter covering MLB for Heavy.com. He has written for Heavy since 2025, and has two years of experience covering local professional, collegiate and high school sports, including writing for Cronkite News and Arizona PBS. More about Matthew Singer
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