NFL QB market, impacted by a thin draft class, features Kirk Cousins, Kyler Murray and not much else

Kyler Murray has been released by the Arizona Cardinals. The Atlanta Falcons made Kirk Cousins a cap cut.

Beyond them, well, the landscape of available quarterbacks looks quite barren for NFL teams seeking the next Sam Darnold success story in free agency.

Trade candidates among proven starters appear to be even more scarce. For the handful of clubs at a crossroad or committed to starting over this offseason, the timing is hardly ideal.

The rookie class thins quickly after Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, the consensus projection to be taken first overall in the April draft by the Las Vegas Raiders, so going the Drake Maye route to a Super Bowl probably won't happen anytime soon.

After eating more than $99 million in dead money on their salary cap by deciding to cut Tua Tagovailoa, the Miami Dolphins snatched up the most sought-after free agent. They gave former Tennessee Titans and Green Bay Packers backup Malik Willis a reported $45 million guaranteed over three years in a deal that will quickly allow the 26-year-old with just 155 career attempts to cash in even bigger if he can establish himself as a productive and reliable starter.

The New York Jets were concerned enough about competition for Geno Smith if he were released and on the market that they acquired him in a trade with the Raiders. Any chance of Daniel Jones being available ended when the Indianapolis Colts tore up the transition tag and reached an agreement on Wednesday on a two-year deal worth up to $100 million despite him coming off an Achilles tendon injury that cut short his 2025 season.

Tagovailoa? He’s already decided to join the Falcons.

The Minnesota Vikings, who were the originators of the Darnold plan in 2024 before they let him leave last year for the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, have been widely linked to Murray as they try to diversify their present and future path after pinning their plan last season on J.J. McCarthy and missing the playoffs after he struggled with injuries and inconsistency.

Here's a closer look at the most viable remaining options:

Limited to five games by a foot injury last season as the Cardinals slumped to 3-14, Murray will cost them more than $54 million in dead money. He’ll also make more than $36 million in real money from the Cardinals, no matter where he winds up, because his 2026 salary is fully guaranteed. Offset language in his contract allows his new team to sign him for the veteran minimum. Murray, the first overall pick in the 2019 draft, has not won more than nine games in a single season — or any in the playoffs.

The Falcons are pivoting toward 2024 first-round draft pick Michael Penix Jr., whose knee injury last year temporarily gave Cousins the job back. His familiarity with the Vikings and coach Kevin O'Connell's system could make sense for a reunion. Cousins, who turns 38 before the season, would be a realistic bridge to give McCarthy more time to develop, but Cousins has never signed a bargain contract.

Aaron Rodgers at age 42 appears unlikely to switch teams again, as a reunion with coach Mike McCarthy presents an attractive alternative to retirement if the Steelers were to decide to bring him back. Perhaps Rodgers would get another call from the Vikings if their other options dry up.

Minnesota might also find it worth trying to pry backup Mac Jones, the former New England Patriots starter, away from the San Francisco 49ers in a trade.

Jimmy Garoppolo? He’s available, but he hasn’t started a meaningful game in three years. Zach Wilson, the second overall pick in the 2021 draft is too, but he has 12 career wins.

Though Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens have hit some bumps in the road together, the two-time NFL MVP is on track for a new deal. He wouldn’t have had a voice in the coaching search if the Ravens were considering a trade.

“I have spoken to Lamar about a lot of different things over the last month,” general manager Eric DeCosta said last month. “He’s been very engaged.”

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

FILE - Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) walks off the field after an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)

FILE - Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Oct. 5, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Rhys Hoskins homered and drove in three runs, Chase DeLauter went 4 for 4 with two RBIs and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Athletics 8-5 on Friday night.

The Athletics’ Nick Kurtz was walked by Hunter Gaddis in the seventh inning, his 20th straight game with at least one to tie San Francisco's Barry Bonds (2002-03) for the second-longest streak in major league history. Detroit's Roy Culllenbine has the record with 22 consecutive games with a walk, set in 1947.

Kurtz also extended his on-base streak to 26, but the reigning AL Rookie of the Year struck out against Cade Smith while representing the tying run in the eighth and finished 0 for 4 with the walk.

Hoskins had a two-run double against J.T. Ginn (0-1) to tie it at 4 in the fifth and hit a solo homer — his second of the season — to put Cleveland up 6-4 in the seventh following a go-ahead sacrifice fly by pinch-hitter Angel Martínez.

DeLauter hit a two-run double that tied it at 2 with two outs in the second.

Cleveland led 8-4 when Kurtz walked to load the bases with no outs. Brent Rooker, who hit a two-run homer to snap an 0-for-20 slump and give the Athletics a 2-0 lead in the first, had an RBI single to chase Gaddis. Erik Sabrowski (1-1) came in and struck out Darell Hernaiz and Tyler Soderstrom before four-time Gold Glove winner Steven Kwan chased down Colby Thomas's fly ball at the wall in center to keep it 8-5.

Joey Cantillo allowed four runs and five hits with three walks in four innings for Cleveland. Smith got the final four outs for his eighth save in 10 opportunities.

Zack Gelof had a two-run single in the fourth to give the Athletics a 4-2 lead.

Guardians rookie Travis Bazzano is 0 for 9 through his first three games, but walked twice and scored the first two runs of his big league career.

Ginn allowed five runs and five hits with five walks in 4 1/3 innings.

Cleveland has won 22 of the last 27 games against the A's.

Guardians RHP Slade Cecconi (0-4, 6.23) starts Saturday opposite Athletics LHP Jacob Lopez (2-1, 5.84).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Athletics' Colby Thomas (32) reacts after hitting a long fly ball to the wall for an out in the eighth inning of a a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians Friday, May 1, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Alan Greth)

Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) tosses his bat after he was walked in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians Friday, May 1, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. Cleveland Guardians catcher Bo Naylor is at left. (AP Photo/Alan Greth)

Cleveland Guardians' Chase DeLauter runs to first base after hitting a two-run RBI double during the second inning of a baseball game against the Athletics Friday, May 1, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Alan Greth)

Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz looks on before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians Friday, May 1, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Alan Greth)

Cleveland Guardians' Rhys Hoskins hits a bases loaded two-run RBI double in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Athletics Friday, May 1, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Alan Greth)