The Kyler Murray Trade I Think Makes the Most Sense

It now appears that Kyler Murray’s time with the Arizona Cardinals is coming to a close. Head coach Jonathan Gannon made it clear that the organization is moving forward with Jacoby Brissett as the starting quarterback — not just while Murray is recovering from his current foot injury, but even if he were fully healthy.

Murray has officially been placed on IR, and Gannon openly acknowledged that the team would still be rolling with Brissett either way. That statement speaks volumes. After years of inconsistency, frustration, and unmet expectations on both sides, the Kyler Murray era in Arizona seems to have run its course.

While there is plenty that could be said about how and why this situation unraveled, the reality is simple: it’s time for both Murray and the Cardinals to move on. And there is one potential trade partner that makes more sense than any other.

My Trade Idea: Murray Goes to the Raiders in Exchange for Geno Smith and 2026 3rd Round Pick

The Las Vegas Raiders entered this season hoping Geno Smith could stabilize the quarterback position. Instead, Smith has struggled significantly. But to be fair, the supporting cast around him has not made things easier — inconsistency on the offensive line, limited perimeter production, and a system still trying to find its identity.

Because of this, it would not be surprising if Las Vegas looks to swing big at quarterback.

A Kyler Murray-for-Geno Smith trade, potentially with the Raiders adding a 2nd- or 3rd-round pick, could be a move that benefits both organizations:

• Las Vegas gets a quarterback with star-level upside — something their franchise badly needs.

• Arizona receives a bridge quarterback who knows the NFC West well and has shown he can play efficiently within the right structure.

• The Cardinals avoid entering a weak QB draft class by not feeling the need to grab one.

Arizona is not likely to hold a high enough pick to select a franchise quarterback this upcoming draft, and this particular class does not offer many sure-thing, high-level prospects. Running it back with Murray no longer feels viable. A reset is needed.

When Murray is at his best, he’s a legitimate star quarterback — dynamic, creative, and capable of elevating an offense instantly. The Raiders need that spark. They need something to pull them out of the stagnation of the past few seasons.

Meanwhile, Geno Smith is not as bad as he has looked this year. The Raiders system simply has not been an ideal match for his skill set. In Arizona, he would walk into an offense with:

• Marvin Harrison Jr.

• Trey McBride

• A more stable system and familiarity with NFC West competition (given his previous run with the Seahawks)

That’s a far better situation for him than what he’s worked with in Las Vegas.

There may be hesitation from some who believe Pete Carroll — currently leading the Raiders — would want to stick by Geno Smith. But the reality is that Carroll may not even be guaranteed to return next season. The Raiders’ 2025 campaign has been disastrous, and the organization may again be forced into major restructuring.

And unlike the narrative that Mark Davis is financially conservative, the move to Las Vegas has positioned the Raiders to spend. Davis has shown a willingness to invest when the franchise needs change.

A trade for Kyler Murray may be the thing the Raiders need out of his constant quarterback cycle they find themselves in.

Both the Cardinals and Raiders are headed toward pivotal offseasons, and a quarterback change for each may be inevitable. This could be the trade that reshapes two franchises moving forward.