Jets Seen as Kyler Murray's Top Landing Spot by NFL Exec amid Vikings Rumors on NFL Free Agency

One NFL personnel executive feels the New York Jets should target Kyler Murray despite all of the concerns that led the Arizona Cardinals to move on from the veteran quarterback.

"You can win with him. There's still enough talent there," the exec told ESPN's Rich Cimini.

Cimini reported the Jets are likely to have interest in Murray and Tua Tagovailoa, with the latter a possible candidate to be cut by the Miami Dolphins. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported earlier this week New York is compiling intel on Tagovailoa in preparation for his exit:

The front office is presumably evaluating the merits of signing Murray as well.

Both have their drawbacks. Murray has battled injuries in recent years, and his level of commitment off the field has long been a talking point during his NFL career. Tagovailoa has regressed badly since making the Pro Bowl in 2023, and he has suffered multiple concussions.

The personnel executive believes the two would combine to make a good quarterback.

"I wish you could bottle Tua's character and put it into Murray's body," they told Cimini.

Along the same lines, they said that "there's no panacea out there" for the Jets' QB situation with a lackluster draft class beyond Indiana's Fernando Mendoza and a dearth of good free agents.

All things being equal, Murray is a worthy gamble on a short-term deal. New York may not be at the head of the pack for the two-time Pro Bowler, though. SNY's Connor Hughes reported Friday there's "resounding belief" he'll land with the Minnesota Vikings.

The Vikings are closer to contending for the playoffs than the Jets, and coach Kevin O'Connell helped spark Sam Darnold's renaissance under center in 2024. If choosing between the two, Minnesota looks more attractive than New York.

Playing time is one advantage the Jets may possess.

The Vikings are clearly wavering a bit on J.J. McCarthy and want to apply some pressure to the 2024 first-round pick. In their ideal scenario, though, McCarthy will turn the corner and emerge as the franchise QB they initially hoped.

New York, on the other hand, is a blank slate.

Tyrod Taylor is a free agent and Cimini wrote the signs are pointing toward Justin Fields' exit. That leaves Brady Cook as the No. 1 quarterback in the depth chart for now. Murray would have a clear path to the starting role.

That's an important factor for the 28-year-old as he'll hope to parlay his 2026 performance, wherever he is, into a big contract next spring.