Under Ballentine’s scenario, the Steelers would acquire Kyler Murray, while the Arizona Cardinals would land a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 conditional fourth-round pick that would become a second-round pick based on playing time. The deal hinges on Murray helping Pittsburgh stay in “win-now” mode rather than rebuild. 📝🔁
The reasoning centers on Pittsburgh’s recent playoff return and its tradition of avoiding sub-.500 seasons since 2003. Adding a veteran like Murray could maintain their competitive window, especially since Murray has consistently posted a higher Total QBR than Rodgers did in his prime, suggesting he could be a more efficient quarterback for the team. 🏆📈
On the Cardinals’ side, there’s talk they might move on from Murray, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter noting they’ll have extensive discussions about his future in the offseason. Arizona holds the third overall pick in the 2026 draft, making a Murray trade a plausible path if they decide to pivot. ⚡️🗺️
If Murray were available, he could arguably be the best veteran quarterback on the market in the 2026 offseason. Potential free-agent options besides Murray include Malik Willis and Marcus Mariota, while trade targets could involve Tua Tagovailoa or Mac Jones. For Pittsburgh, Murray represents a realistic route to staying in win-now mode and upgrading the QB position quickly. 🏁🤝
