NFL
By: Rick O’Donnell
There may be an unintentional bidding war out there for (soon-to-be) former Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray. While there will be plenty of teams in hot pursuit of veterans everywhere, from Malik Willis to Kirk Cousins, this offseason. Any QB-needy team, such as the New York Jets, should take interest in the former Arizona QB.
Let’s face it. There’s no other fit necessary for the New York Jets than Murray. What’s the worst that happens? They sign him to a veteran minimum salary this offseason. Then, let him prove he’s worth more than that $1.3 million price tag? He either earns his keep at that price and warrants a new contract, or the Jets have plenty of options to move on. It also keeps New York from investing in a big contract for another veteran who may not work out.
Nothing says “set up for success” like the Jets would be with Murray, too. They’re already working on an extension for Breece Hall to counter his franchise tag. They’ve already got a young tight end to bail out Murray in broken plays with Mason Taylor. Garrett Wilson locked up a deal with the team to be their long-term. One would think the New York Jets are only a QB from turning things around.
So why would they waste their second overall pick or their sixteenth pick on a QB that might not pan out? Heck, Murray might not either, with his inconsistency and injury concerns. However, that’s the reason why the Jets should go after him. The Jets can take a flyer on a veteran QB who has as many games under his belt, such as Murray. Then, they don’t have to give up draft picks to try to acquire one.
The Jets have two first-round picks this draft and three in the next draft. They are in the driver’s seat of their own success. They can find a quality offensive lineman who plays guard to shore up the position, but splits time at tackle. They’ve got solid tackles in place now. A guard this year in the first round with one of those two picks, and one in the first round next year, and you’ve got a solid, potentially dominant OL. You can use your second first-round pick on a DB to replace Sauce Gardener. WRs can be in the later rounds if not free agency, and then focus on building a stellar defense.
If it doesn’t play out the way you’d hoped with Murray and the draft picks you have, they can pivot. They can take one of those 3 picks and get a QB in a much better draft class, still get their guard, and still have their third first-round pick to use wherever they struggled this season. There couldn’t be a better formula for success because now they wouldn’t be working in reverse, trying to implement a QB who is going to struggle behind a weak line on a bad football team. Your skill positions will be in place next season, and Kyler Murray will either win, or you’ve got everything you need to move on and not let the next man fail. If the Jets aren’t in on Kyler Murray, I’d question their commitment to truly rebuilding.
