The Arizona Cardinals have decided to enter a new era for the franchise this offseason. The team fired head coach Jonathan Gannon after a record of 15-36 over three seasons. He will be succeeded by Mike LaFleur, the former offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams.
The team has decided to part ways with star 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 hindered by injuries. A torn ACL caused him to miss the final five games of the 2022 season, and in 2023, he played in only eight games. Additionally, a foot injury in 2025 limited him to just five games. He has since signed with the Minnesota Vikings.
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The team is likely seeking a quarterback. NFL.com’s Charles Davis has the team taking Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson passes against the Indiana Hoosiers.Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)
“Last year, I opined in one of my early mocks that Jaxson Dart would go to the Giants with the third overall pick, but I didn’t stick with the pairing as the process unfolded,” Davis wrote. “Dart, of course, ultimately ended up with New York after Big Blue traded back into the first round and selected the quarterback at No. 25. This year, I think Simpson ends up with the Cardinals, even if this is not the spot where they pick him.”
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It wouldn’t be surprising if the Crimson Tide selected someone like Simpson. However, it would be a surprise if they picked him at No. 3, as projected by Davis. Simpson is ranked as the No. 2 quarterback in the class, behind Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers, who is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders.
Mocks rank him as the No. 35 overall player and a potential second-round pick, although the most common selection is at No. 21 by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Some analysts predict that the New York Jets could trade up to No. 16 to draft him. However, with the exception of Davis’ mock draft, No. 16 is the highest position predicted for him in other mock drafts.
So, only time will tell if the Cardinals decided to make that decision at No. 3. He will bring a different dynamic to the offense than what Murray did. Murray was a player who used his athleticism and freelancing to his advantage. SImpson is a much more traditional pocket passer. If he’s the pick, he could sit behind someone like Jacoby Brissett while he learns. Then, when it’s his time, the hope is that he can lead the Cardinals back to the playoffs and eventually to a Super Bowl crown.
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Related: Cardinals Projected to Take Kyler Murray Replacement in 2026 NFL Draft
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 26, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.