Jets QB Search: Kyler Murray Rumors Swirl, but Questions Loom
The New York Jets are staring down another offseason with a familiar problem - they need a starting quarterback. With uncertainty clouding their depth chart heading into 2026, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is one of the names being floated as a potential solution. But if the Jets are seriously considering that move, they might want to pump the brakes - at least according to someone who’s shared a huddle with Murray.
On the latest episode of his Flight Deck podcast, longtime Jets insider Rich Cimini shared some insight that casts doubt on whether Murray would be the right fit in New York. Cimini said he recently spoke with a former Murray teammate who didn’t mince words when asked about the quarterback potentially landing in green and white.
“I said, ‘You know the Jets might be going after Kyler in a month or two,’ and he goes, ‘No, no, no, the Jets don’t want to do that. You don’t want Kyler Murray as your quarterback,’” Cimini recalled. That’s a strong message coming from someone who’s been in the locker room with him.
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard concerns about Murray’s presence in the locker room. Back in January 2023, a veteran player - also unnamed - described the Cardinals’ decision to hand Murray a five-year, $230.5 million extension as having “created a monster.” That deal, which included $160 million guaranteed, raised eyebrows across the league, not just for the size of the contract but for what it said about the organization’s commitment to a player who, at times, has been a lightning rod for criticism.
More recently, former NFL quarterback and analyst Shaun King noted that Murray had to break some “bad habits” to carve out a sustainable role in the league. Whether those habits are mechanical, mental, or related to leadership is unclear - but the implication is that Murray’s growth as a franchise quarterback is still a work in progress.
Adding another layer of uncertainty is the fact that the Cardinals’ new head coach, Mike LaFleur, has yet to publicly commit to Murray as the team’s starter moving forward. With Arizona holding a high draft pick and potentially looking to reset at quarterback, many around the league believe the team will explore trade options for the 28-year-old this offseason.
That said, Murray’s trade value may not be what it once was. He made just five starts this past season before being sidelined with a foot injury, and Arizona finished the year with veteran Jacoby Brissett under center. Brissett, who’s under contract for 2026, might not be a long-term solution for the Cardinals - but he could be a short-term one for the Jets.
And here’s where things get interesting.
Cimini pointed out that Brissett has a strong relationship with Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells, who’s long been a mentor figure for the veteran QB. That bond goes back to Brissett’s high school days in South Florida, where Parcells lives.
The two have stayed in touch ever since. Why does that matter?
Because Parcells also has a close connection with Jets head coach Aaron Glenn. There’s a web of relationships here that could make Brissett a more logical - and less risky - target for the Jets.
While Brissett doesn’t bring the same upside as Murray, he’s a known quantity: poised, professional, and capable of keeping an offense on schedule. For a Jets team that’s been burned by high-risk quarterback bets in recent years, that kind of stability might be more appealing than rolling the dice on Murray’s potential.
Bottom line: the Jets are in the market, and the Cardinals have quarterbacks potentially on the move. But whether it’s Murray or Brissett, New York will have to weigh talent, temperament, and team fit very carefully. If Cimini’s reporting is any indication, Murray’s baggage might outweigh his upside - at least in the eyes of those who’ve seen him up close.