Arizona Cardinals: Moving Josh Rosen for Kyler Murray
By Erik Lambert
It could easily be nothing more than typical pre-draft banter, but the Arizona Cardinals cannot be ignored with their plans regarding the #1 pick.
Head coach Kliff Kingsbury has publicly stayed committed to current starter Josh Rosen, but he is under no obligation to remain that way. Not when he has the one pick in the draft that would enable him to secure a quarterback of his choosing from an entire class. Buzz persists that he may have eyes for Heisman winner Kyler Murray. Likely because he has the look of a downsized version of Patrick Mahomes who starred in Kingsbury’s offense at Texas Tech.
That mobility, creativity and natural playmaking instinct are hard to replicate. Kingbury’s offense seems to nurture such traits well. Rosen is more of a pure pocket passer. That’s not a bad thing but it doesn’t fit with the style his new head coach has been known for. That is why rumors persist a change might be coming with the Cardinals grabbing Murray at #1 and then looking to deal Rosen for a package of picks from a QB-needy team.
It becomes a matter of figuring out which teams if any would pay that price if the Cardinals do indeed jump in on Murray with both feet.
New England and New Orleans make perfect sense for Rosen
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Rosen could be the starter for a team right now but it feels like he still might be a year away before he starts getting good. He’ll be starting over in a new offense regardless of where he ends up in any trade scenario. While several teams might have interest in him, two that stand out the most have to be the New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints, both for the same reason. Rosen could be the long-term successor to a Hall of Fame quarterback.
Tom Brady is well into his 40s now. Drew Brees is on the cusp of that landmark. It’s only a matter of time before those two men are done. Neither team has a legitimate option on the depth chart who is ready to replace them. Rosen would change that. He’s currently entering the second year of a cheap and manageable rookie contract. Something either team could control for the next four seasons.
It comes down to how much they’d have to give up in a trade. The Patriots are better equipped at present with a 1st and two 2nd round picks this year while the Saints gave up their 1st in the Marcus Davenport trade last season. Whether either the of them would be willing to pay the necessary price is unknown and may depend on their assessment of Brady and Brees from last year.