Kyler Murray, Justin Fields, Kirk Cousins' Top Landing Spots After NFL Free Agency Day 1

The first day of NFL free agency was a busy one, but three quarterbacks are still looking for a home.

Kyler Murray, Justin Fields and Kirk Cousins are some of the biggest names remaining on the board after signal callers like Malik Willis, Tua Tagovailoa and more signed on Monday.

Here's a look at some possible landing spots for Murray, Fields and Cousins.

Kyler Murray's Top Landing Spots

AP Photo

Kyler Murray is set to be released by the Arizona Cardinals when the league year begins on Wednesday if a trade doesn't happen in the coming days. It will end what has been a mostly disappointing tenure for the former No. 1 overall pick.

As difficult as the 2025 campaign was for Murray, he's shown some upside at certain points in his career, and there's reason to believe he can make his way back to being a starter soon.

Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings are still holding out hope that J.J. McCarthy will develop into a true QB1, but the team needs another option incase his 2026 season is as bad as his 2025 campaign was.

Murray has been linked to the Vikings multiple times since it was reported that the Cardinals planned to release him, with NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reporting that Minnesota is the favorite to sign him.

In 2024, Kevin O'Connell and the Vikings helped revive Sam Darnold's career after he appeared on his way to being a bust. Now, they could have the chance to do the same with Murray.

New York Jets

The New York Jets hold the No. 2 pick in the NFL draft, but unfortunately for them, the top quarterback in the draft class, Fernando Mendoza, will almost certainly be on his way to the Las Vegas Raiders before they have the chance to pick him.

This year's draft class doesn't have many elite quarterbacks besides Mendoza, so the Jets' best bet is picking one up in free agency.

SNY's Connor Hughes reported last week that the Jets could target two quarterbacks in free agency, so it's fair to assume Murray could be in the mix if he doesn't sign with Minnesota.

Justin Fields' Top Landing Spots

AP Photo

While Justin Fields is still under contract with the New York Jets, the expectation is that he'll be released this offseason.

Fields' short lived tenure with the Jets was rough, but it's fair to say that New York wasn't exactly the best fit for him. Whether he'll return to being a starting quarterback remains to be seen, but he'll certainly be on a roster this fall.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Given how last season went, it's easy to forget that Fields played well for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024 before Russell Wilson got healthy and assumed the starting role.

He led the Steelers to a 4-2 start and had 1,106 passing yards and 10 total touchdowns during that stretch.

Pittsburgh is still waiting on a decision from quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but even if the veteran returns, it will likely be a one-year deal that will end with him retiring. Fields could serve as a solid backup and potentially earn the starting role in 2027.

Green Bay Packers

Malik Willis, one of the top quarterbacks on the market this year, signed with the Miami Dolphins on Monday, leaving the Green Bay Packers in need of a backup quarterback behind Jordan Love.

The Packers could pick up Fields on an affordable one-year deal to give them some assurance that they'd at least have a somewhat reliable option if Love were to suffer an injury.

Fields' versatility also means that Green Bay could use him in certain situations where speed is required.

Kirk Cousins' Top Landing Spots

AP Photo

Kirk Cousins was never the Atlanta Falcons' true starter during the 2025 campaign, but he managed to put together a decent year while serving as Michael Penix Jr.'s backup.

He finished the year with 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions, showing some vintage moments, like a 373-yard, 3-touchdown performance in a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

If a team is willing to kick the tires on the 37-year-old Cousins, it could pay dividends.

Minnesota Vikings

Could a reunion between Cousins and the Vikings be in play this offseason? It's not completely unthinkable.

While several signs point to Minnesota signing Kyler Murray, Cousins could be an option if Murray chooses another destination.

If McCarthy struggles again in 2026, Cousins could come in as a player who knows the system and head coach Kevin O'Connell well. The best-case scenario is Cousins leading Minnesota back to the playoffs. The worst-case scenario is that the young McCarthy gets to learn from a veteran as he continues to develop.

New York Jets

While reports have said that the Jets may not be interested in signing Cousins, a dwindling quarterback market could change things.

New York tried to make things work with the veteran Aaron Rodgers in 2024 and it failed, but after Cousins showed flashes last year, it could be worth trying again in 2026 while holding out for a true franchise quarterback.

The Jets don't have much to lose at this point after years and years of struggles. They could pick Cousins up on an affordable one-year deal and perhaps swing for the fences next offseason, or try their luck in what could be a promising draft class.