Could LA Rams outsmart the NFL with 1 of these 5 out of favor QBs?

Keep your enemies closer

The Arizona Cardinals quarterback situation could not be more convoluted. Starting quarterback Kyler Murray has appeared in just two games this season. Backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs has appeared in eight games. Finally, reserve quarterback Clayton Tune has appeared in three games.

Now don't get me wrong. Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has some excellent NFL talent, has a world of experience in competing in the NFC Western Division, and can perform at a rather high level at times. His best season was 2021, when he led the Cardinals to a record of 11 -6 (Murray was 9-5 that season). In that year, Murray completed 333 of 481 passes for 3,787 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.

Because he is a dual-threat quarterback, Murray can pile up the yards on the ground as well. In fact, in 2021, he rushed 88 times for 423 yards and five touchdowns. So if he is so good, why would he be on the trading block?

Maturity, management, and Murray

The problem for Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals began in the 2021 NFL Playoffs, and were caused by the LA Rams. In that playoff game, Murray struggled against an inspired Rams defense. He played so poorly that he refused to finish out the game in the closing minutes. That, understandably, did not sit well with the coaching staff.

In 2022, the Cardinals (4-13) were bad, even worse than the LA Rams (5-12). But the real story was the dispute of the Cardinals coaching staff, and the Cardinals starting quarterback Kyler Murray, who had just signed a five-year $230.5 million contract. Ultimately, Murray won the battle but lost the war. The Arizona Cardinals announced after the 2022 season that the team would be parting ways with both GM Steve Keim and HC Kliff Kingsbury. Now, with a new GM and head coach, Murray is under the gun to perform at the level of his current contract. So far, he is not.

The irony of it all is that the poor performance of Murray in 2023 all but ensures that the Cardinals will be willing to trade him away at the end of the season. The Cardinals (2-9) currenly are looking at the second overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. And, if necessary, the Cardinals also boast the Round 1 pick of the Houston Texans.

Do the Rams consider Kyler Murray as potential player to acquire for 2024? If the Rams do eye up the likelihood of adding Murray, the Rams would almost certainly seek to reunite him with his former head coach, Kliff Kingsbury, who is currently the QB coach for USC.

Optimal options? It depends on your perspective. Keep in mind that every veteran quarterback on this list was once a highly touted rookie quarterback prospect. The likelihood of the Rams hitting with one of these five quarterbacks is that much better, because the Rams already know how they perform in the NFL.

Nothing is written in stone. The Rams will need to find a replacement for veteran QB Matthew Stafford sooner or later. If the 2024 NFL Draft is an unlikely source, the Rams have the option to acquire a tarnished veteran QB as well.