As the NFL offseason heats up, two former top-five picks - Kyler Murray and Tua Tagovailoa - could be on the move. Both the Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins are reportedly exploring trade options for their starting quarterbacks, but moving on from high-priced passers is never as simple as it sounds. The contracts are massive, the cap implications are significant, and the market for both players is murky at best.
Let’s break it down.
Tua Tagovailoa: A Costly Conundrum in Miami
Tua’s situation in Miami is complicated - financially and on the field. After being selected fifth overall in 2020, the Dolphins committed to him with a four-year rookie deal, picked up his fifth-year option, and then doubled down with a blockbuster four-year, $212 million extension that included $167 million guaranteed. That’s franchise quarterback money - and then some.
But after a rocky 2025 season that saw him benched and finish with 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions over 14 games, the Dolphins are reportedly ready to move on.
Here’s the catch: Tua is guaranteed $54 million in 2026. Cutting him would trigger a record-setting $99 million in dead cap - the largest in NFL history.
That’s not happening. A trade is the only real option, but even that’s tricky.
Miami is reportedly willing to eat part of the contract to make a deal work, but with Tua’s recent performance and injury history, it’s unclear how many teams would be willing to take on even a reduced version of that deal.
Still, signs point to a split this offseason. The Dolphins are at a crossroads, and it looks like they’re ready to start fresh under center.
Kyler Murray: Arizona’s Big Decision
Over in Arizona, the Cardinals face a different - but equally complex - quarterback dilemma with Kyler Murray.
The former No. 1 overall pick has had a rollercoaster tenure in the desert. After flashing elite potential early in his career, injuries and inconsistency have clouded his future.
He played just five games in 2025, completing 68.3% of his passes for 962 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions. He added 173 rushing yards and a score on the ground before a foot sprain in Week 5 ended his season.
The Cardinals kept him on the active roster for a month, hinting at a possible return, but ultimately shut him down and handed the reins to veteran Jacoby Brissett. That move, along with the firing of head coach Jonathan Gannon, fueled speculation that Murray had taken his last snap for Arizona.
Financially, the Cardinals are in a bind. Murray is owed $36.8 million in guarantees for 2026, and another $19.5 million locks in for 2027 if he’s still on the roster in March.
Cutting him would trigger a $57 million dead cap hit. But trading him?
That could clear nearly $35 million in cap space - a huge relief for a team that may be looking to reset.
The trade market won’t be easy, though. Arizona is reportedly looking for a second- or third-round pick in return, and may need to absorb some of the contract to get that kind of value. Still, with the right suitor, a deal could be mutually beneficial.
What’s Next for Tua and Kyler?
Neither Miami nor Arizona is in a position to simply walk away from their quarterback situations. These are high-stakes, high-dollar decisions that will shape the direction of both franchises for years to come.
For Miami, the Tua era appears to be nearing its end. The question is whether they can find a team willing to bet on a bounce-back season - and how much they’re willing to pay to make that happen.
For Arizona, Murray’s future hinges on whether the team can find a trade partner before more of his contract becomes guaranteed. The talent is there, but the durability concerns and hefty price tag make it a tough sell.
One thing’s clear: Both quarterbacks are at career crossroads. And as the offseason unfolds, the ripple effects of their next moves could reshape the quarterback landscape across the league.