NFL QB market, impacted by a thin
draft class, features Cousins and maybe Tagovailoa and Murray, too
[February 26, 2026]
By DAVE CAMPBELL
Kirk Cousins will be available to sign with any team in two weeks
once he's released by the Atlanta Falcons. Tua Tagovailoa could be
on the move from the Miami Dolphins. Kyler Murray might not be in
the Arizona Cardinals' plans.
Reliable quarterbacks have been of utmost importance for decades in
the NFL, but long-term satisfaction with the position across the
league is becoming increasingly elusive. Just because a team has
paid top dollar for a franchise quarterback doesn't mean that
decision won't be reconsidered the following year for cost,
injuries, performance or all of the above.
For the handful of clubs either at a crossroad or committed to
starting over this offseason, the timing is hardly ideal.
After Indiana national champion and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando
Mendoza, who's widely expected to be the first-overall pick in the
draft by the Las Vegas Raiders, the rookie class thins quickly.
Finding a new starter on the open market is always tricky, and the
bargain options are as scant as ever. Green Bay Packers backup Malik
Willis will be sought after in free agency, but he has only six
career starts. Still, depending on how much a team is willing to
pay, either against the salary cap or in trade currency with players
and draft picks, there should be at least some viable upgrades
available.
The Minnesota Vikings have found themselves in these predicaments as
frequently as any franchise this century, entering this year with
more uncertainty following an erratic and injury-filled debut by J.J.
McCarthy.
While Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell has said repeatedly he remains
confident in McCarthy's makeup and skill, all the team has committed
to for 2026 is bringing in a veteran not only for insurance but
stronger competition for the job.
“We’re going to explore every opportunity, and I don’t think there’s
anything specifically we’re looking for," said executive vice
president of football operations Rob Brzezinski, who's the acting
general manager following the dismissal of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. "We
can’t manufacture anything that’s not there. What are the options?
Is it reciprocal? Is it financially doable? There are a lot of
things that go into it.”
Kirk Cousins
Cousins will again be the most certain option on the market next
month, when the Falcons plan to cut him and fully pivot toward 2024
first-round draft pick Michael Penix Jr., whose knee injury last
year gave Cousins the job back. His familiarity with O'Connell and
fondness for the Vikings could lead to a reunion. Cousins, who turns
38 before the season, would be a realistic bridge starter to give
McCarthy more time to develop.
Tua Tagovailoa
With a salary cap charge of about $56 million and new leadership in
the front office and on the coaching staff, Tagovailoa's future with
the Dolphins is unclear despite the extension he signed less than
two years ago. After six seasons of injuries and inconsistency,
including a career-most 15 interceptions in 2025, the fifth-overall
pick in the 2020 draft is young enough at age 27 to attract
attention from other teams.
"Everything's on the table, including the potential of a trade,”
general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said. “We don’t know which way
that’s going to go. There’s a lot of different factors in play, a
lot of conversations being had.”
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) walks off the field
after an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday,
Jan. 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)
Kyler Murray
Limited to five games by a foot injury last season as the Cardinals
slumped to 3-14, Murray is carrying a salary cap hit of about $52
million for a team that also has a new coaching staff. General
manager Monti Ossenfort uttered the familiar refrain at the NFL
combine this week: “All options are on the table.”
Murray, the first-overall pick in the 2019 draft, has not won more
than nine games in a single season — or any in the playoffs.
“When you had the kind of year that we had, there’s a lot of room
for improvement,” Ossenfort said. “We’ve got to find a way to do
that.”
Daniel Jones
After signing a prove-it contract last season with the Indianapolis
Colts, Jones was on his way to mirroring the success Sam Darnold —
the biggest prize on the market last year — had with the Seattle
Seahawks until Jones tore his Achilles tendon in December. Jones is
still rehabilitating from the injury, lessening the league-wide
interest, and general manager Chris Ballard said he's trying to
re-sign the sixth-overall pick in the 2019 draft.
The long shots
Aaron Rodgers at age 42 appears unlikely to switch teams again, as a
reunion with coach Mike McCarthy in Pittsburgh presents an
attractive way to put off retirement.
Though Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens have hit some bumps in
the road together, the two-time NFL MVP is on track for a new deal.
He wouldn't have had a voice in the coaching search if the Ravens
were considering a trade. “I have spoken to Lamar about a lot of
different things over the last month,” general manager Eric DeCosta
said. “He’s been very engaged.”
If there were any questions about how committed the Houston Texans
are to C.J. Stroud after a third straight loss in the divisional
round of the playoffs, general manager Nick Caserio didn't leave any
room for guessing in his comments about the 2023 NFL Offensive
Rookie of the Year.
“He's our quarterback,” Caserio said at the combine in Indianapolis.
“He isn't going anywhere. We have a lot of confidence, a lot of
belief.”
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