Arizona Cardinals signing QB Aaron Murray to practice squad

The Arizona Cardinals are adding the former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback

As expected, the Arizona Cardinals have added a third quarterback to the team.  This one is third-year quarterback Aaron Murray, recently released from the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Cardinals decided to keep just two quarterbacks, Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton, on the 53- man roster.  This lead to the likelihood the Cardinals would add a quarterback to their practice squad.

The Cardinals cut Jake Coker early in the week last week and then cut Matt Barkley on Saturday, thus leaving the window open to claim a free-agent quarterback.  Murray was not picked up on waivers after being cut.  He went 25-41 for 273 yards and three interceptions in the preseason for the Chiefs.

Murray, from the University of Georgia, is the career SEC passing yards leader.  He was originally drafted by the Chiefs in the fifth-round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

The move means the Cardinals weren’t as interested in keeping Barkley at all as some Cardinals fans felt they should have, all based on the last two preseason games.  Earlier, I incorrectly stated he wasn’t eligible for the practice squad.  He is eligible and reports are the Chicago Bears will be picking him up for their practice squad.

This is a low-risk move for the Cardinals.  If Murray doesn’t work out, there are a number of other guys the Cardinals can go and call.  In 2015, Palmer was able to start all 16 games after just starting six in 2014.  Stanton played mainly in a clean-up role or when the game was completely out of hand.