The Arizona Cardinals are heading into a pivotal offseason, and the quarterback situation sits squarely at the center of it all. With questions swirling around Kyler Murray’s future in the desert, the team may be preparing to hit the reset button at the most important position on the field.
After a loss to the Texans, the Cardinals currently hold the No. 6 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. That’s a solid spot, but if they’re serious about landing their next franchise quarterback, they might need to get aggressive. One scenario gaining traction has Arizona trading up to the No. 1 overall pick - a move that would send a clear message about the direction of the franchise.
In this hypothetical, the Cardinals strike a deal with the New York Giants, who, despite their own quarterback questions, aren’t expected to be in the market for a passer this offseason. Arizona would send the No. 6 and No. 38 picks in 2026, along with a second- and fourth-rounder in 2027, to move up to the top spot.
The prize? Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner and one of the most intriguing prospects in the upcoming draft class.
Let’s talk about Mendoza. He’s not just a stat-sheet stuffer - though his numbers are eye-popping.
In 2025, he completed 71.5% of his passes for 2,980 yards and 33 touchdowns, leading the nation in scoring throws. But the numbers only tell part of the story.
After transferring from Cal, Mendoza led Indiana to an undefeated season and a Big Ten title. That kind of turnaround doesn’t happen without elite leadership, poise, and a high football IQ.
What stands out about Mendoza on tape is his arm talent and pocket presence. He can make every NFL throw - deep outs, tight-window lasers, touch passes down the seam - and he does it with timing and confidence.
He’s calm under pressure, keeps his eyes downfield, and rarely forces the issue. For a young quarterback, that’s gold.
Still, even with all that talent, the Cardinals wouldn’t need to throw him into the fire right away. Veteran Jacoby Brissett is under contract for 2026 and could serve as a stabilizing presence while Mendoza adjusts to the speed and complexity of the pro game. Brissett has been in this role before - a steady hand who can guide a young QB through the early stages of development.
Of course, all of this hinges on what Arizona decides to do with Kyler Murray. The former No. 1 pick is still under a massive contract, but the Cardinals could look to move on before June 1.
If they do, they’d take on a $17.9 million dead cap hit - but they’d also free up $35.3 million in cap space. That kind of financial flexibility could help reshape the roster around a rookie quarterback on a team-friendly deal.
It’s a bold plan, no doubt. Trading up for Mendoza would be a franchise-defining move - one that signals a new era in Arizona.
But if the Cardinals believe he’s the guy, it’s the kind of swing you have to take. Because in today’s NFL, everything starts - and ends - with the quarterback.