103-TD QB Emerging as ‘Strong Option’ for Cardinals to Replace Kyler Murray

After finishing the 2025-26 season with an NFC-worst 3-14 record, the Arizona Cardinals have begun to clean house. The entire coaching staff was dismissed, and Kyler Murray appears to be nearing an exit as well.

With first-year head coach Mike LaFleur now calling the shots, one free agent quarterback has emerged as a potential starting option for the franchise in 2026.

Cardinals Show Interest in Super Bowl-Winning Quarterback

On Sunday afternoon, NFL insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano published an article on ESPN outlining several teams’ offseason plans, primarily those in need of a quarterback. When discussing the Cardinals in particular, Graziano mentioned the possibilities of retaining Murray, sticking with Jacoby Brissett, or striking a deal with Malik Willis.

Ultimately, Fowler introduced an option that fans had not yet considered.

He wrote: “Free agent Jimmy Garoppolo heading to Arizona is a strong option, too. The Cardinals have interest, and Mike LaFleur is considered very close with Garoppolo. ‘That’s his guy,’ a league source said. LaFleur can create a clean path to restart his quarterback room by adding at least one veteran and drafting a QB. That makes Murray and Brissett expendable, and the feeling in Indy is that Murray wants out of Arizona.”

As Fowler noted, Garoppolo is, in fact, “his guy.” Garoppolo and LaFleur worked together in San Francisco between 2017-20. LaFleur served as the pass game coordinator, while Garoppolo was the starting quarterback. Notably, they reached the Super Bowl together in 2019, though they ultimately fell to the Chiefs 31-20.

After three seasons apart, the two reunited in 2024, this time in Los Angeles. Garoppolo operated as the QB2 behind Matthew Stafford, while LaFleur served as offensive coordinator under Sean McVay.

Now, in 2026, LaFleur is the head coach in Arizona, and Garoppolo is a free agent. The duo could pair up one final time in an attempt to revamp a Cardinals offense that ranked 22nd this past season, according to PFSN’s Offense Impact Metric.

During the discussion, Fowler also added, “Something to keep in mind with Garoppolo: He has one of the league’s best QB2 jobs with the Rams, who would welcome him back. Joining Green Bay as a No. 2 is also an option.”

Garoppolo, who struggled in his last opportunity as a starter, may choose to remain a backup. Whether that is behind Stafford in Los Angeles or behind Jordan Love in Green Bay, he will undoubtedly earn a solid paycheck along with one of the best jobs in the league.

However, if he and the Cardinals can agree on a contract, expect the 103-TD quarterback to continue adding to his résumé and make the most of what may be his final starting opportunity.