Cardinals Eye Future with Potential Franchise Quarterback in Draft

The Arizona Cardinals are assessing their future at the quarterback position and may be looking to make a bold move in the upcoming draft. Currently holding the sixth overall pick, the Cardinals are rumored to consider trading up for the first overall selection with the New York Giants.

According to Andrew Harbaugh of Bucs Wire, this trade would involve giving up the sixth and thirty-eighth overall picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, as well as a second and fourth round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.

The Cardinals are targeting Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner, who boasts a strong arm, accuracy, and impressive decision-making skills. Mendoza led Indiana to a perfect record and a Big Ten championship after transferring from California, finishing the 2025 season with a seventy-one point five completion percentage, two thousand nine hundred eighty yards, and thirty-three touchdown passes.

If the Cardinals do draft Mendoza, he could initially sit behind veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who is under contract for 2026, allowing for a smoother transition to the NFL. Additionally, the Cardinals are considering trading current quarterback Kyler Murray, as moving him before June first would result in a dead cap hit of seventeen point nine million dollars but would save thirty-five point three million dollars against the cap.

This strategic approach could reshape the team's future and address ongoing challenges at the quarterback position.