Following the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl triumph over the New England Patriots on Sunday evening, the inter-season period has officially begun for every one of the 32 organizations. The Seahawks’ quarterback, Sam Darnold, achieved the distinction of being the first signal-caller to start for at least four teams (having played for five in total) before securing a Super Bowl championship. Prior to his victorious Super Bowl journey with the Seahawks, Darnold encountered difficulties in crucial contests, marked by turnovers and physical ailments, and had participated in only one prior postseason appearance.
Within a league known for replication, franchises are actively seeking the subsequent Darnold—a quarterback who requires a fresh start, perhaps across multiple organizations, to rejuvenate their professional trajectory.
The signal-caller widely considered to embody the Darnold model has, according to reports, been withdrawn from consideration. Adam Schefter, an NFL insider for ESPN, revealed that the 49ers intend to retain Mac Jones as the secondary quarterback supporting Brock Purdy, instead of engaging in a trade. Jones delivered a commendable performance last season when Purdy was sidelined, tallying 2,151 passing yards, 13 scoring throws, and 6 interceptions, achieving a 5-3 record across his eight starts.
Jones commenced his professional journey with the Patriots prior to his transfer to the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024. Subsequently, Jones inked a two-year contract worth $7 million, structured as a “prove-it” agreement, under 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, to serve as Purdy’s understudy—a move that Darnold himself identified as crucial for his own resurgence.
Is it possible for teams to identify a player akin to Sam Darnold on the trading block this year? (Image by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
(Perry Knotts via Getty Images)
Although Jones has articulated his aspiration for another opportunity as a primary quarterback, he apparently informed ESPN that he regained his passion for the sport during the current season. Both Shanahan, the head coach, and John Lynch, the general manager, lauded Jones, indicating their anticipation of his return following the conclusion of their season, which ended with a defeat to the Seahawks in the divisional playoffs. Jones remains bound by contract for an additional year, carrying a salary cap figure of $3.07 million.
Two prominent quarterbacks potentially subject to relocation are Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals and Tua Tagovailoa from the Miami Dolphins. Schefter identified the Dolphins, Cardinals, New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Minnesota Vikings as organizations that might be seeking a new quarterback during this upcoming offseason period.
Murray achieved 962 passing yards, 6 touchdown passes, and 3 interceptions across 5 appearances before being sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a foot ailment. Murray, at 28 years old, completed his initial seven seasons with the Cardinals and has participated in just a single postseason contest. Throughout his NFL tenure, Murray has been absent from 30 games.
Tagovailoa amassed 2,660 passing yards, 20 touchdown throws, and 15 interceptions. Among quarterbacks, only Darnold and Geno Smith of the Las Vegas Raiders recorded a higher number of turnovers than Tagovailoa. The 27-year-old signal-caller was relegated to the bench during Week 16, with seventh-round rookie Quinn Ewers taking his place. Tagovailoa has additionally experienced a defeat in his sole playoff appearance during his six-year career and has completed a full season just once.
Notwithstanding the potential interest from NFL franchises in acquiring either of these former first-round selections, monetary complexities are expected to present the most significant obstacle.
The Dolphins secured Tagovailoa with a four-year contract extension totaling $212.1 million in July 2024. It is reported that they are already committed to paying him $54 million guaranteed in 2026, with an additional $3 million from Tagovailoa’s 2027 earnings becoming guaranteed on March 15, the fifth day of the forthcoming league year.
Releasing Tagovailoa from his contract would result in a $99 million dead-cap charge, representing the highest in the history of the NFL; alternatively, classifying him as a post–June 1 cut would distribute that financial impact across a two-year period.
Murray is currently in the second year of a substantial $230.5 million agreement he signed back in 2022. According to The Athletic, he is accounted for on the Cardinals’ payroll for $125.1 million stretching until 2028. Approximately $40 million of that sum is completely guaranteed for 2026. Should the Cardinals decide to outright terminate Murray’s contract in March, they would incur a dead-cap penalty of $57.7 million. If his release occurs after June 1, the dead cap would be divided: $50.5 million in 2026 and $7.2 million in 2027.
Both franchises might opt to initiate a fresh start at the quarterback position following alterations in their head coaching leadership during the current offseason.
