There will be several key storylines surrounding the Cardinals this offseason, with one being the quarterback position and how they approach it. There is widespread speculation that Arizona may move on from
Kyler Murray, potentially leaving a void to fill.
Currently with the No. 6 overall pick after their loss to the Texans, the Cardinals are in a position to take one, but they might have to move up for it to be a sure thing. That’s what Bucs Wire’s Andrew Harbaugh sees Arizona doing, trading up to the No. 1 spot with the Giants and selecting Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza.
The New York Giants will not be needing a quarterback, though they might down the road if they keep having Jaxson Dart play like a fullback. So that means that they are trading this pick to the Arizona Cardinals as they remain in quarterback purgatory with Kyler Murray’s massive contract and a willingness to move on from him. They will need someone on the cheap end of things, and you could do worse in the Heisman Trophy winner, Fernando Mendoza.
In this scenario, Arizona gives up the 6th and 38th overall picks in the 2026 NFL draft, as well as a second and fourth round pick in the 2027 NFL draft, for the 1st overall selection.
Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner, would bring a lot of intrigue. He is a strong-armed signal-caller, capable of making all NFL throws with excellent accuracy. Additionally, Mendoza possesses great poise, decision-making, and the ability to navigate the pocket. He led Indiana to a perfect record and a Big Ten championship in his first season there after transferring from California.
In the 2025 season, Mendoza finished with a 71.5 completion percentage with 2,980 yards and 33 touchdown passes, which ranked first in the nation.
While he has all the tools to start from Day 1, Mendoza would be able to sit behind veteran Jacoby Brissett, who is currently under contract for 2026. Brissett could serve as a valuable bridge quarterback, allowing Mendoza to transition to the NFL at an appropriate pace.
As for Murray, the best scenario for the Cardinals would be to trade him before June 1. Arizona’s dead cap hit would be $17.9 million with a cap savings of $35.3 million.
