One of the busiest NFL offseasons in terms of blockbuster moves has finally quieted down ahead of the 2022 draft. Until now. A day after the Browns' Baker Mayfield addressed his inevitable, ugly split from Cleveland, NFL Media reports that quarterback Kyler Murray and the Cardinals are at a total standstill in contract talks, with the former No. 1 overall pick unlikely to play for Arizona without a new deal. Both Murray and the Cardinals have publicly downplayed a rift that's reportedly intensified in recent months, but other teams are actively lurking as they fail to cooperatively pursue a long-term deal.
Does this mean a breakup is imminent? No. The Cardinals technically have Murray, 24, under contract through 2022, and possibly 2023, if they exercise his fifth-year option. But the groundwork has been laid for this issue to escalate: Murray's agent put detailed public pressure on Arizona back in February, all but demanding a lucrative extension; and an actual spring/summer holdout would put the onus on the Cardinals to consider auctioning the Pro Bowl QB to a bidder ready to meet Murray's demands.
Crazier things have happened. Just look at what happened with Tom Brady, Deshaun Watson, Matt Ryan and countless others this offseason. In the event Arizona fields trade inquiries for Murray, who would assuredly fetch a Watson-level haul for his upside, which teams could be logical landing spots? Here are 10, with the Cardinals' rival Seahawks excluded under the assumption Arizona would never deal Murray in the same division:
10. Falcons
They rolled out the red carpet for Watson, even dumping Matt Ryan for a measly third-round pick as a result. So they'd surely — and wisely — look into it. The problem is, they have barely any money to spend, and even if they manipulate the cap to add him, they'll have zero cash to build up a barren roster around him.
9. Giants
It would take some serious cap maneuvering, and even then, the new regime wouldn't have much leftover to spend. But Brian Daboll knows the value of having an elite dual threat at QB. In a perpetually wide-open NFC East, who's to say New York couldn't surprise sooner rather than later by using its premium assets (two top-10 picks in 2022) to secure a new face of the franchise?
8. Steelers
They're only paying Mitchell Trubisky high-end backup money, and they sure as heck aren't gonna be guaranteed an equal talent with the No. 20 overall pick. With a playoff-ready defense and improved O-line, adding Murray could instantly propel them deeper into the playoffs. The issue is, their first-rounder is later, and they don't have many other extra picks to deal.