We are approaching the fantasy playoffs in most dynasty leagues. We will focus on waivers and trades for a couple more weeks, then we will transition to players to stash, buy, and sell for the offseason. In today's "Dynasty News," we examine some of the week's larger happenings from a dynasty perspective.
Dynasty News: QB Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray has not lived up to expectations. The Cardinals' offense is moving the ball much better with Jacoby Brissett at the helm. Last week, coach Jonathan Gannon announced that Murray will not play again this season as he recovers from a foot injury.
Cardinals QB Kyler Murray will not play again this season, coach Jonathan Gannon said.
— Josh Weinfuss (@joshweinfuss) December 5, 2025
Murray was practicing a month ago, but coach Gannon shut him down in favor of Brissett, who has played much better than the incumbent. Murray was, in effect, benched for Brissett. Warren Sharp added some much-needed context to Murray's value to the team:
Kyler Murray for $32.6M cash in 2025:
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) December 5, 2025
6.0 YPA, 6:3 TD:INT, 68% comp, 40% success
Jacoby Brissett for $7.0M cash in 2025:
7.2 YPA, 13:4 TD:INT, 68% comp, 47% success https://t.co/7gZSKihKQa
The Cardinals will incur a $57,753,177 dead cap hit if Murray is cut or traded in 2026, according to Spotrac. For those wondering who will be the team's starting quarterback next season, Brissett is under contract. This past offseason, he signed a 2 year, $12,500,000 contract; he is a steal compared to most starting NFL passers. We expect Arizona to seek a contract extension for Brissett this coming offseason. He will want to earn more money, and the team will want to lock him up for a few years.
Dynasty News: QB Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns
It is hard to believe that Deshaun Watson just turned 30 in September and could have a productive career once he recovers from an Achilles injury. Last Tuesday, the team announced that it was opening Watson's 21-day practice window.
The Browns are opening QB Deshaun Watson's practice window today, per the team. He will be limited in practice today.
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) December 3, 2025
Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports thinks it is unlikely that Watson plays this season. "The Cleveland Browns started Deshaun Watson's 21-day practice window Wednesday, allowing him the chance to be activated to the 53-man roster later this season and ultimately play in 2025. But sources tell CBS Sports it is only a chance. Maybe even the slimmest of chances. Sources deem it unlikely Watson ultimately sees game action this season in what is the penultimate year of his record-setting contract. And unless the Browns wish to take on a heavy dead cap hit of more than $80 million in 2026, it is quite possible, if not likely, that Cleveland has him on the roster in 2026."
Watson has battled injuries the past few years. He first tore his Achilles in Week 7 of the 2024 season, then re-ruptured the tendon and underwent surgery on Jan. 9 of this year. In 2023, Watson's season ended after six games when he underwent surgery on a fractured throwing shoulder. There is little way any team can rely on him to stay healthy at this point. Whether Watson plays this year or not, he now gets an opportunity to assert himself into the starting-role conversation for next season with strong practice play. His contract has an "out" clause after the 2026 season. According to Spotrac, Watson is set to earn $46 million in salary for next season, and the team cannot release him without being burdened by a $131 million dead cap hit. That number drops to $50 million if he is released after the 2026 season. With rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders not playing well, the Cleveland brass is incentivized to see what it has in the veteran. Further, with a team needing to plug many holes on both sides of the ball, the team would be well-served to start Watson next season and plan to draft a quarterback in the strong 2027 NFL Draft. The 2027 draft looks to be stronger than the 2026 draft. But this is the Browns, a team that churns through quarterbacks, so nothing is assumed.
Dynasty News: QB Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts
After a strong showing in Minnesota last season, Daniel Jones signed a one-year, $14 million contract in Indianapolis. Jones had the Colts on top of the AFC South before fracturing his fibula a couple of weeks ago. He suffered a gruesome Achilles injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday:
#Colts QB Daniel Jones has been ruled out with an Achilles injury. Just awful. pic.twitter.com/fmPPIRSrNM
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 7, 2025
Rapoport followed up with:
If the MRI confirms a torn Achilles, Daniel Jones will face a 9-month recovery that puts him right up against the start of 2026 season.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 7, 2025
Jones is a pending free agent, though Indy wants him back. https://t.co/OX9rxKqZUN
Given the injury's long recovery period and its potential impact on his free agency, Jones' free agent market could be less than it was just a couple of weeks ago. Indianapolis will definitely want him back. Other teams, such as Minnesota and the New York Jets, may be interested in signing Jones to a solid contract. He has over $122 million in career earnings and should garner a multi-year contract with big guarantees. For those looking for dynasty impact candidates in Indianapolis, Riley Leonard is not the answer and inhibits the fantasy upside of the receivers. Making matters worse, Leonard was dinged up on Sunday. Jones' absence makes the offense one-dimensional, with opposing defenses crowding the line to stop Jonathan Taylor. The 8-5 Colts finish the season with four difficult games against the Seahawks, 49ers, Jaguars, and Texans. For those wondering about Anthony Richardson Sr., the team does not know if - or when - he will play this year. The team is so desperate that Indianapolis is bringing in Philip Rivers for a tryout.
The #Colts are planning to bring potential Hall of Fame QB Philip Rivers into their facility Tuesday to work out to see if he may join their practice squad, per me & @MikeGarafolo.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 8, 2025
This is real. Daniel Jones' season is over, Riley Leonard will start, but Rivers may be an option. pic.twitter.com/H3tQW2R3s7
At 44 years old, Rivers will be little more than a statue in the pocket. So, the Colts' playoff hopes are tied to Riley Leonard.
Dynasty News: RB Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals
Much was expected of Trey Benson, especially after James Conner was lost for the season, but Benson has been sidelined since Week 4 with a knee injury.
RB Trey Benson won't be activated yet. Gannon acknowledged he doesn't know if Benson will return this season.
— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) December 5, 2025
Benson must be activated this week or wait until the offseason to begin practicing:
Cardinals RB Trey Benson – who has not played since Week 4 due to a meniscus injury – must be activated this week or his season is over. And with his practice window soon closing, there now is a real chance he will not be activated this week, per sources, and he will not be… pic.twitter.com/rsKzjwZDJI
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 7, 2025
Still just 23 years old, Benson has potential, and this injury may provide a great opportunity to buy low in dynasty leagues. He was a third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and is full of potential. Conner carries a $10 million cap hit, according to Spotrac. He is still recovering from a foot injury and should be able to participate in offseason activities.
Dynasty News: WR Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers
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