PHOENIX — The Kyler Murray era is officially dead, and the Arizona Cardinals are holding a massive hole at quarterback heading into the 2026 NFL Draft. After finishing a dismal 3-14 last season, Arizona owns the third overall pick, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport suggests they might use it on a player few saw coming in the top five: Alabama’s Ty Simpson.
The Gamble at No. 3
Arizona’s decision to cut Murray earlier this offseason sent shockwaves through the league, leaving the franchise with $54.7 million in dead money and a desperate need for a new signal-caller. While many analysts viewed Ty Simpson as a late first-round talent, Rapoport noted that team desperation often overrides consensus rankings. The Alabama product put up massive numbers in 2025, throwing for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns while leading the Crimson Tide to a Rose Bowl appearance.
“The Cardinals at three, I would say let’s just see,” Rapoport said Friday. “We have seen far too often, we say alright obviously this quarterback is going to be taken late or he’s more of a mid-round guy. Then a team falls in love with him and they say I don’t care, I’m going to take him.”
Rapoport compared the potential move to past reaches like Mitchell Trubisky at No. 2 or Blake Bortles at No. 3. While he admitted he would be surprised, he made it clear he wouldn’t be stunned. The Cardinals need a face for the Mike LaFleur era, and Simpson’s 66.8% completion rate in a pro-style system makes him a tantalizing fit.
“We know the pressure is on. This city wants a winner, and whoever steps into that huddle needs to be ready from day one. Ty has that pedigree, but the draft is a different beast.”
— Anonymous Cardinals Scout
Steelers and the Trade Threat
Arizona isn’t the only team lurking. The Pittsburgh Steelers sit at No. 21 and have been heavily linked to Simpson. If Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort truly believes Simpson is the guy, he can’t risk waiting. History repeats itself; just last year, the New York Giants aggressively traded up to snag Jaxson Dart, proving that teams will burn draft capital to secure their preferred passer.
The Cardinals currently have Jacoby Brissett on a bridge contract, but he isn’t the long-term solution. Whether Arizona stays at three or attempts a creative trade back, the pressure to land a franchise cornerstone has never been higher. The desert is heat-checking Simpson, and April 23 can’t come soon enough.
