As the 2025 NFL season winds down, quarterback uncertainty is looming large for a few franchises - namely the Las Vegas Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, and New York Jets. Each team entered this year with a new plan under center, but as we look ahead to 2026, it’s clear that those plans are either unraveling or still very much in flux.
Let’s start in New York, where the situation has gone from hopeful to bleak in a matter of months. After swinging a deal for Justin Fields in the offseason, the Jets were banking on a resurgence from the former first-rounder.
But Fields’ struggles have been glaring, and after being benched, his days in green and white appear numbered. All signs point to a release in 2026, leaving the Jets back at square one in their seemingly endless quest for a franchise quarterback.
Out west, the Raiders tried to stabilize their quarterback situation by bringing in Geno Smith, hoping the veteran could bring some consistency to an offense that desperately needed it. Instead, the results have been underwhelming. Smith hasn’t provided the spark Las Vegas hoped for, and the team’s quarterback outlook is as murky as ever heading into the offseason.
Then there’s Minnesota, where the Vikings made a bold move by letting Sam Darnold walk in free agency to hand the reins to J.J. McCarthy, the 2024 first-round pick.
It was a calculated risk, and while McCarthy has shown flashes, the jury is still out. The Vikings are in a better spot than the Jets or Raiders, but don’t be surprised if they bring in veteran competition to push McCarthy in 2026.
That brings us to Kyler Murray - a name that’s once again surfacing in trade speculation. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Cardinals quarterback could draw interest from all three of these teams during the upcoming offseason. And when you connect the dots, it’s easy to see why.
Murray is currently sidelined with a foot injury and won’t return this season. But even before the injury, Arizona was reportedly on the verge of benching him in favor of Jacoby Brissett - a clear signal that the franchise is ready to move on. ESPN’s Adam Schefter has reported that the expectation is Murray and the Cardinals will officially part ways in 2026.
Now, here’s where things get interesting: Murray’s massive $230 million contract might look like a trade obstacle at first glance, but the lack of guaranteed money beyond next season makes it more manageable than it seems. For a team willing to take a calculated risk, Murray could be a worthwhile swing.
But let’s be honest - this isn’t a move for a team in full rebuild mode. That’s where the Jets and Raiders might have to pump the brakes.
Both franchises are in transition, and adding a quarterback like Murray, who comes with a hefty price tag and a complicated history, doesn’t align with a long-term rebuild. If anything, those teams should be focused on the 2026 NFL Draft, where they’ll likely have a shot at a top-tier rookie quarterback to build around.
The Vikings, though? That’s a different story.
Minnesota is closer to competing than the other two. Their roster has talent, and if McCarthy can continue to grow, they may not need to make a move at all.
But if the front office feels the need for a veteran safety net - someone who can push McCarthy and potentially take over if things go sideways - Murray fits that mold. He’d give the Vikings a high-upside option and, if he doesn’t win the job outright, he becomes a valuable trade chip later in the season.
So, does a soft landing spot exist for Kyler Murray? Possibly.
But it’s going to take the right situation - a team close to contention, with a flexible cap and a coaching staff willing to take on a reclamation project. Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings might just check those boxes.
As for the Jets and Raiders, the answer may not be in a blockbuster trade. It might be waiting in April - in the form of a young quarterback who can finally bring some long-term stability to two franchises that have been chasing it for far too long.