Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has entered free agency for the first time in his career.
The Cardinals parted ways with Murray on Wednesday, concluding his seven-year tenure with the organization and opening the door for him to join a new team.
According to reports, the Minnesota Vikings have identified Murray as a top target. Murray isn’t the sole veteran quarterback to hit the market on Wednesday’s opening day of the league year.
The Atlanta Falcons also parted ways with Kirk Cousins, cutting short his Atlanta career after just two years of a four-year, $180 million contract he inked when departing Minnesota in March 2024.
Arizona’s decision to cut Murray before March 15 allowed the team to limit their 2026 financial commitment to $36.8 million. Had they waited until Saturday, a $19.5 million guarantee would have become active. The team used a post-June 1 designation for Murray, a financial strategy that spreads his remaining contract impact across two seasons for salary cap management.
The two-time Pro Bowl quarterback was sidelined for 12 contests last season due to a foot ailment and has completed a full regular-season schedule only once over the past five seasons.
Murray, who was selected first overall in the 2019 draft after winning the 2018 Heisman Trophy, worked under two different head coaches during his Arizona tenure. The team recently brought in Mike LaFleur as their third coach, replacing Jonathan Gannon.
In Indianapolis, the Colts lifted the transition tag from Daniel Jones after the quarterback agreed to a two-year, $88 million deal.
Jones was experiencing a career resurgence before suffering a leg injury last season. His attempt to continue playing while injured ultimately led to a season-ending Achilles tear in December.
During 13 games in 2025, Jones completed 68.0 percent of his passes for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
Throughout his career, Murray has accumulated 121 touchdown passes against 60 interceptions across 87 regular-season appearances. Should he select Minneapolis as his destination, Murray would potentially team up with running back Aaron Jones, who recently agreed to a restructured one-year contract to remain with Minnesota.
Reports suggest Cousins could be among the veteran options Arizona considers. He has a connection with LaFleur from their Washington days, where Cousins started his NFL journey backing up Robert Griffin III.
In Atlanta, the Falcons signed former Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to a one-year agreement. With Cousins no longer in the picture and Michael Penix Jr. recovering from ACL surgery, Tagovailoa provides new head coach Kevin Stefanski with an experienced starter should Penix not be ready for the season opener.
The New York Jets acquired Geno Smith from Las Vegas before the Raiders could release the 35-year-old signal-caller. NFL Network reported that Smith received a $1 million increase to his $18.5 million salary to facilitate the deal, with Las Vegas covering more than $13 million in 2006.
Baltimore secured a pass rusher just one day after the Maxx Crosby deal collapsed due to a failed physical examination.
The Ravens landed Trey Hendrickson on a four-year contract reportedly valued at $112 million. The 31-year-old Hendrickson appeared in seven games last season before core muscle surgery ended his campaign.
After leading the NFL with 35 total sacks in 2023-24, Hendrickson managed just 4.0 sacks in his injury-shortened 2025 season.
Safety Kevin Byard III rejoined Mike Vrabel in New England, inking a one-year, $9 million contract with the Patriots.
Byard topped the NFL with seven interceptions last season while playing for Chicago. He previously suited up for Vrabel’s Tennessee squad, which selected him in the third round of 2016. Vrabel led the Titans from 2018 through 2023.
New England also brought in wide receiver Romeo Doubs from Green Bay on a four-year deal and guard Alijah Vera-Tucker from the Jets on a three-year contract.
Outside linebacker Bradley Chubb agreed to a three-year, $43.5 million contract with Buffalo, according to multiple reports.
He joins wide receiver DJ Moore, who Buffalo officially obtained from Chicago in exchange for a second-round selection. These signings were enabled by quarterback Josh Allen, who restructured his deal to create over $12 million in salary cap room, per multiple reports.
Miami officially released Chubb on Wednesday with a post-June 1 designation, and he quickly signed with the AFC East rival Bills.
Chubb carried a $31.2 million cap hit for 2026, and Miami made several roster cuts to meet Wednesday’s 4 p.m. ET salary cap deadline.
Chubb paced Miami with 8.5 sacks in 2025. Buffalo’s Joey Bosa remains a free agent and is not anticipated to return.
Tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo joined the Washington Commanders, who had an active day filling roster needs.
Okonkwo posted career-high statistics with Tennessee in 2025, recording 56 catches for 560 yards. He has scored eight touchdowns across 68 games since Tennessee drafted him in the fourth round of 2022.
Additional moves confirmed by teams as official Wednesday transactions:
Cornerback Trent McDuffie was traded from Kansas City to the Los Angeles Rams for a 2026 first-round pick (29th overall), a 2026 fifth-round selection, a 2026 sixth-round choice, and a 2027 third-round pick.
Linebackers Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean both signed three-year deals with Las Vegas.
Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce re-signed on a one-year contract worth a reported $12 million.
The Jets acquired safety Minkah Fitzpatrick from the Miami Dolphins.
Cleveland obtained right tackle Tytus Howard from Houston in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick.
Pittsburgh defensive end Cameron Heyward re-signed on a one-year deal worth a reported $18 million.
Center Elgton Jenkins signed a two-year contract worth a reported $24 million with Cleveland.
