How NFL Insiders Reportedly View Tua Tagovailoa, Kyler Murray Trade Value amid Latest Rumors

NFL insiders are reportedly "skeptical" that the Miami Dolphins or Arizona Cardinals will be able to facilitate a quarterback trade by attaching draft capital to a potential deal this offseason, according to The Athletic's Jeff Howe.

The Dolphins and Cardinals are reportedly expected to release Tua Tagovailoa and Kyler Murray, respectively, if neither team can find a trade partner this offseason.

Either trade could become more attractive if the teams attach draft capital to either contract. Howe, as an example, pointed to 2017, when the Houston Texans traded Brock Osweiler and his $16 million in guaranteed salary to the Cleveland Browns by attaching a 2018 second-rounder to the deal.

"Various league sources loved the thought of replicating that scenario with Murray or Tagovailoa, but they are skeptical it will happen," Howe wrote.

The Dolphins hold eight picks, including the No. 11 selection, in the 2026 NFL draft. Even with one of those selections attached, however, a Tagovailoa trade would leave Miami holding $45.2 million in dead cap, per Over the Cap.

A Murray deal could be more conceivable, given that it would leave the Cardinals with $17.9 million in dead cap and save the team almost $35 million in cap space, according to Over the Cap.

Howe noted, however, that "multiple league sources relayed concerns about his leadership skills" which could potentially damage his trade value.

The Dolphins and Cardinals could ultimately decide to hold onto their draft capital, and accept the dead cap involved in parting ways with their quarterbacks, in order to move on this offseason.

Tagovailoa cost the Dolphins more than $99 million in dead cap over the next two seasons as a post-June 1 cut, while Murray would cost the Cardinals $54.7 million in dead cap over the same span, per Over the Cap.

The Cardinals have until March 15 to make a decision on Murray before he receives a $17 million 2026 roster bonus and $19.5 million in 2027 salary guarantees, per Spotrac.