The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to have a new starting quarterback next season, as 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers is widely expected to retire.
With the 2026 NFL Draft projected to be weak at the quarterback position, many believe the Steelers could turn to a veteran option, either through free agency or via trade.
Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report recently predicted that Pittsburgh will pursue that route, projecting the Steelers to trade for Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray.
According to Ballentine, the trade details would be:
Steelers Acquire: Kyler Murray
Cardinals Aquire: 2026 third-round pick, 2027 conditional fourth-round pick (becomes a second-round pick based on playing time)
GettyQB Kyler Murray.
Reasoning Behind the Trade
After making the playoffs, Pittsburgh is coming off a season that showed the team is still in win-now mode, and adding a veteran like Murray could make more sense than going through a rebuild or bringing in another young quarterback.
The Steelers, who haven’t finished below .500 in the regular season since 2003, likely would have a much better chance to continue that streak by adding a seasoned player like Murray instead of rolling out with a young project quarterback.
“The Steelers proved they have the roster and coaching to get into the playoffs with a baseline of competent quarterback play. Aaron Rodgers (44.1) was just 23rd in Total QBR, and Pittsburgh still won the AFC North. Murray has surpassed that mark in every season of his career,” wrote Ballentine.
On the Cardinals side of things, the team might consider moving on from Murray, potentially opening the door for a trade in the offseason.
“ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the franchise plans to have extensive discussions about Murray’s future this offseason,” wrote Ballentine.
The Cardinals, who haven’t seen a great deal of success with Murray under center, hold the third overall pick in the 2026 draft.
GettyMurray might be available via trade in the 2026 offseason.
Kyler Murray Could Be the Best Veteran QB Available
If the Cardinals are open to trading Murray, the former first overall pick in the 2019 draft would arguably be the best veteran quarterback available via trade or free agency.
“Assuming Rodgers retires, Murray might be the best veteran quarterback available on the trade market. A trade in which they give up a Day 2 pick this year and a conditional pick that appreciates if Murray stays healthy could land them their next veteran quarterback,” wrote Ballentine.
Realistic free-agent options in the 2026 offseason include quarterbacks such as Malik Willis of the Green Bay Packers and Marcus Mariota of the Washington Commanders.
Some names rumored to potentially be available via trade include Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins and Mac Jones of the San Francisco 49ers.
When healthy, Murray has the potential to be a high-level quarterback and could lead a team to wins, making a trade to Pittsburgh a realistic possibility.
GettyMurray would give the Steelers a chance to stay in win-now mode.
Kyler Murray Projected as Steelers’ Next QB in Mock Trade