Potential Kyler Trade (Grain of Salt)

[Totally_Red]

Hops contract was an issue to the acquiring team. But Hops money wasnt guaranteed. By cutting Hop, the Cards didnt have to pay anything.

Kyler has $36mm of guaranteed money for 2026. Cutting him doesnt make that payment go away.

So for Mike -- taking on even $35mm of the guaranteed $36mm to facilitate a trade will save him $.

In that scenario -- a team could trade for a QB that will cost them $1mm in 2026 with a team option for $19mm salary in 2027 (that they get to decide on after the 2026 season) for a QB with lots of starts.

I am not saying 1st rounder, but I think that would be attractive to somebody.

I think that is the point. If the acquiring team gets Kyler for less than it would cost them to sign him on the open market they are have an incentive to make a trade. He is young and athletic enough that I think he would fetch more than the vet minimum that Wilson got.

 

[iLLmatiC]

Any chance we can hire 602 and Nashman as a GM for one of these teams?

 

[Mark22]

No chance because the book is out on him. He’s not a grinder and doesn’t love the game. Doesn’t mean he’s not committed in the weight room.

Doesn’t love the game? Do share how you arrive at that thought.

 

[football karma]

The 2027 salary guarantees March 22.

doh. confused my offseasons

so an acquiring team could have him for, lets say, $1-$5mm in 2026 depending on how much the Cards buy down + $19mm (really $21mm as there is a camp bonus in Aug '27) for the 2027 season.

that degrades value some, but $21mm is the 19th highest paid QB today.

 

[Harry]

Right! Really bad at falling on knives too.

Definitely not a sharp guy.

 

[Stout]

Definitely not a sharp guy.

His job keeps him in a toxic workplace too.

 

[oaken1]

I will eat my balls if we get a first. You can quote me on that.

DONE!!

 

[kerouac9]

doh. confused my offseasons

so an acquiring team could have him for, lets say, $1-$5mm in 2026 depending on how much the Cards buy down + $19mm (really $21mm as there is a camp bonus in Aug '27) for the 2027 season.

that degrades value some, but $21mm is the 19th highest paid QB today.

Yeah if the Cards want to/can pay him like $35 million to go away. I’m sure selling Michael on this idea is one of Monti’s top priorities.

 

[DaHilg]

For what it’s worth ESPNs First Take or whatever sure felt Kyler’s value is a LOT higher than on this board (Dan O and Stephen A)… I disagree, I think the assessment here seems far more accurate unless someone comes from left field with a crazy offer

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

The team I could see as a potential trade partner is Carolina. First off, they have a nutjob for an owner. Secondly, their offense is already centered around a short QB with a spread attack. Murray is better than Bryce Young by quite a bit. If they are winning with Bryce, they might think they can win big with Kyler. I think they were the team Mayfield went to first when he was ousted in Cleveland.

 

[football karma]

Yeah if the Cards want to/can pay him like $35 million to go away. I’m sure selling Michael on this idea is one of Monti’s top priorities.

I think a game of chicken will play out as we approach March 22

100% the Cards release Kyler by 11:59 on March 21 to avoid being on the hook for the $19mm in 2027

Prior to that, it will be about if the teams that are interested in Kyler ask themselves:

We can sign a free agent Murray?
Will it be for a deal cheaper than 2 years / ~$22 mm (guaranteed) --i.e. the remainder of Kyler contract after the Cards buy it down

If all the teams interested in Kyler conclude "yes" to both, then no trade and he gets released

if at least one team concludes "no" to either question, then a trade happens. Again, for what is really the question.

 

[kerouac9]

I think a game of chicken will play out as we approach March 22

100% the Cards release Kyler by 11:59 on March 21 to avoid being on the hook for the $19mm in 2027

Prior to that, it will be about if the teams that are interested in Kyler ask themselves:

We can sign a free agent Murray?
Will it be for a deal cheaper than 2 years / ~$22 mm (guaranteed) --i.e. the remainder of Kyler contract after the Cards buy it down

If all the teams interested in Kyler conclude "yes" to both, then no trade and he gets released

if at least one team concludes "no" to either question, then a trade happens. Again, for what is really the question.

I think there’s a world where they keep Kyler through 3/22. They’re already paying him; his $17MM 2027 salary isn’t crazy. They pay him less if they can unload him, even if they now has to eat the roster bonus.

I don’t know if there are offsets in Kyler’s deal or not. If there are offsets, Kyler is in the driver’s seat and could take the minimum to put himself in a good environment.

If there are no offsets and Kyler can double-dip in 2026, anything is possible.

I think it’s likely we move Kyler along with a third-round pick swap or something and move up 15 spots.

 

[Totally_Red]

I think there’s a world where they keep Kyler through 3/22. They’re already paying him; his $17MM 2027 salary isn’t crazy. They pay him less if they can unload him, even if they now has to eat the roster bonus.

I don’t know if there are offsets in Kyler’s deal or not. If there are offsets, Kyler is in the driver’s seat and could take the minimum to put himself in a good environment.

If there are no offsets and Kyler can double-dip in 2026, anything is possible.

I think it’s likely we move Kyler along with a third-round pick swap or something and move up 15 spots.

Good points. It is uncomfortable to hang on to him ala Cousins in Atlanta, but if someone loses their starter like Minnesota several years ago, the Cardinals could get a legitimate day 2 pick.

I have been thinking 3/22 is a hard deadline but maybe not.

Should be an interesting offseason

 

[football karma]

I think there’s a world where they keep Kyler through 3/22.

it be ballsy by Mike

I suppose if the belief is that paying $19mm or so in 2027 is not an impediment to an acquiring team -- then sure, let 3/22 go by

probably trading him post draft at that point to one of the teams that didnt get their guy, for a better pick a year into the future

 

[kerouac9]

it be ballsy by Mike

I suppose if the belief is that paying $19mm or so in 2027 is not an impediment to an acquiring team -- then sure, let 3/22 go by

probably trading him post draft at that point to one of the teams that didnt get their guy, for a better pick a year into the future

No this is the mistake Monti made with DHop. You have to trade these guys while other teams have budget — at the start of the league year. Teams have to plan to accommodate a $20 million cap hit as much as they have to a $35 million cap hit.

 

[Shane]

All any team has to do is show the clip of Kyler cowering like a little baby and throwing the ball away to the ground during the Titans game, the clip many of us have seen over and over….. At that point the Cardinals will say “OK we’ll take your seventh rounder thank you for your business”