Who is the Cardinals' QB? Explaining why Arizona's depth chart begs for draft pick after Kyler Murray leaves for Vikings
TL;DR
Kyler Murray has left the Arizona Cardinals to join the Minnesota Vikings for the 2026 season. This departure raises questions about the Cardinals' quarterback situation and their potential draft strategy.
Key points
- Kyler Murray leaves Arizona Cardinals for Minnesota Vikings
- Murray will be the QB for the Vikings in 2026
- Arizona Cardinals need to address their quarterback position
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Who is the Cardinals' QB? Explaining why Arizona's depth chart begs for draft pick after Kyler Murray leaves for Vikings originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Arizona Cardinals let Kyler Murray leave this offseason.
Murray will be the QB for the Minnesota Vikings in 2026, not the Cardinals.
That leaves Arizona trying to figure out the future of their quarterback position.
Will they solve it in the 2026 NFL Draft? Ty Simpson passed them by. If they get someone at this position, it'll be further down the board.
This is how things stand before they take a potential QB in the draft.
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Who is the Cardinals' QB?
Before drafting anyone, the Cardinals have two potential starting quarterbacks for the 2026 season.
Jacoby Brissett returns as the incumbent after starting some games in 2025.
Gardner Minshew was signed from the Kansas City Chiefs to compete.
Even if the Cardinals draft a QB, it'd make sense to allow one of the veterans to be the Week 1 starter.
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It feels a bit like the 2025 Giants, who entered the year with Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston and rookie Jaxson Dart.
Neither of those guys will hold off a youngster if the kid is ready.
But until a rookie is good to go, Arizona can rely on a veteran.
They still may target a QB in the 2027 NFL Draft, but they also will probably take one in 2026.
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Q&A
Why did Kyler Murray leave the Arizona Cardinals?
Kyler Murray left the Arizona Cardinals to become the quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings starting in the 2026 season.
Who are the potential quarterback options for the Cardinals in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Cardinals may look for a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft, but their options could be limited as players like Ty Simpson have already passed them by.
What impact does Kyler Murray's departure have on the Cardinals' depth chart?
Murray's departure leaves a significant gap in the Cardinals' depth chart, prompting the team to reassess their quarterback strategy moving forward.