Arizona Cardinals could lose Drew Stanton

The Arizona Cardinals may be in the market for multiple positions, but did they really think backup quarterback would be one of them?

The Arizona Cardinals could be in the market for a pass rusher, and come Wednesday, a backup quarterback as well. As outlined in multiple pieces around the internet, the rumor is that Drew Stanton will soon be a former Arizona Cardinal if everything is to be believed.

Stanton would like to start, and while he’ll probably never admit it, it was the intention when he joined Bruce Arians in Arizona after Arians left Indianapolis for the head coaching job in the desert. With a void of quality starters in both the draft and free agency, competent backups are getting a look to see what they can do on the free agent market and coming into camps with the ability to complete for a starting job.

While Arians may say that the best 53 will play, it goes without saying that Carson Palmer will start here in Arizona for at least the next season or two

Stanton has been in the league long enough to know how the process works, and after starting eight games over the last few seasons, he has an admirable record. His just-above-50%-completion-percentage would be somewhat worrisome to any GM around the league, but, again, look at what your other options are, Chase Daniels?

As Kent Somers outlines in his piece for AZCentral, Stanton wants to play, and the only way for that to happen is an injury to Palmer. While Palmer missed half of the 2014 season, in which Stanton was also seriously injured, only clean-up duty and a single play during the Philadelphia game saw Stanton get any play time in 2015.

The Cardinals do have Matt Barkley signed, as well as Carson Palmer, and the draft looms, but young, raw, talent won’t get you a competent backup if your starter goes down, look at what Cardinals fans faced with Ryan Lindley and Logan Thomas two seasons ago.

As I outlined in this piece last week, a competent backup is something that every team needs, but what will the team do if they are suddenly faced with the real possibility that an entrenched backup, who knows the system, the lingo, and is comfortable with a dance routine, is suddenly gone? Do you take your chances in the draft, or in free agency with the less than desirable alternatives, or hope you can make it to next season when several other quarterbacks will come into the market, including the always linked Mike Glennon currently in Tampa Bay (stay tuned for an entire piece on that).

Some team will get a good backup, maybe a passable starter, and a hell of a dancer.