ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss noted that Moore’s return to Oregon removes a likely No. 2 pick behind Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, which could leave teams hungrier for a quarterback and shift the early draft landscape.
As a result, Murray’s trade value could rise for Arizona, with an NFC source suggesting the initial offer could start with a second-round pick if the Cardinals pursued a deal. The discussion included a reference point from Geno Smith’s trade last year, highlighting Murray’s higher talent but inconsistent 2024-25 play.
The source also contrasted Murray’s upside with his recent on-field inconsistency and long injury history, suggesting that teams would weigh risk against upside in any potential deal.
Murray’s 2022 ACL tear, 2021 ankle injury, and the uneven 2023-24 seasons have tempered expectations for a top market price, even as he showed moments of peak play in his early years. In 2025, he produced six touchdowns in five games before a foot injury effectively sidelined him and his tenure with Arizona.
With a $52.6 million cap hit, a mid-round return could appeal to the Cardinals as a path to reset under a new regime, allowing them to move on from the previous leadership and rebuild around a fresh quarterback plan.
