Why Jets should sign Kyler Murray after Cardinals release $36.8 million QB

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Mar 3, 2026 - 21:25

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Why Jets should sign Kyler Murray after Cardinals release $36.8 million QB originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Jets are entering the 2026 NFL offseason with a clear hole at the quarterback position after the failed Justin Fields experiment from 2025.

While the Jets have a lot of options in finding a new quarterback, whether it's a free agent signing, a trade, or a draft pick, there is one very clear fit that the Jets should go after this offseason.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Arizona Cardinals are going to release Kyler Murray, and the Jets should be all over this. Murray would be a fantastic free agent for the Jets to sign, and is someone they need to pursue this offseason.

Why Jets should sign Kyler Murray this offseason

"The #AZCardinals have informed QB Kyler Murray that they are releasing him, adding a key free agent to the market," Rapoport reports.

This is some massive news for the Jets and the rest of the NFL. While there are interesting quarterback options, none would fit quite as nicely as Murray for the Jets.

The 28-year-old is going to make $36.8 million in 2026 from the Cardinals, meaning the Jets would only have to pay him the veteran minimum to bring him to New York.

While there are plenty of other teams, including the Miami Dolphins, that would love to do the same, the Jets should be strongly going after Murray this offseason.

He's coming off a five-game season in 2025 where he went 2-3 with 962 passing yards and six touchdowns to three interceptions. As a runner, he ran for 173 yards and one touchdown on 29 attempts.

More: Jets urged to 'kick the tires' on trades for Eagles and Texans backup QBs

While investing in a running quarterback after the Fields disaster might be odd, Murray is someone worth investing in. The ceiling he's shown in his career, a 3,971-yard Sophomore season with the Cardinals, is worth getting excited over.

He has a 67.1% completion rate in his career with 20,460 passing yards and 121 touchdowns to 60 interceptions. He also has 3,193 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns as a runner in his seven-year NFL career.

Murray is a better version of Fields, who's proven his ability to not just be a good runner, but a good passer as well.

Plus, Murray has incredible upside with his dual-threat ability, and add on how cheap signing him would be, and the Jets should strongly pursue Murray this offseason.

They won't be alone in their pursuit, but of the free agent quarterbacks the Jets can take a chance on, Murray is, by far, the best option available.