Arizona Cardinals wrangle Drew Stanton for two more years

Amid rumors he could be bolting the Arizona Cardinals, the 9th year quarterback re-signs

Just when you thought he was out the door, he is returning for two more seasons for the Arizona Cardinals.  Backup quarterback Drew Stanton signed a two-year contract on Tuesday worth a reported $6.5 million. That should give the Cardinals stability at the position until starter Carson Palmer likely retires in a couple of years.

It had been reported that Stanton could be looking to move on elsewhere, particularly to a team that would give him a chance to start.  Staying in Arizona means standing on the sidelines unless Palmer gets injured, something that we know about all too well from 2014.

Stanton came to the Cardinals in 2013 initially as the starter until the Cardinals soon traded for Palmer after that.  Signing Stanton should allow the Cardinals to now find the right quarterback instead of rushing a younger one into service quickly should something happen to Palmer.

The Cardinals also have Matt Barkley on the roster but the Cardinals have been quiet about his progress or what their future plans for him are.  For now, he will stay at third on the depth chart.

Stanton got into just seven games in 2015 but most of that was garbage time after a Cardinals victory was no longer in doubt.  He went just 11-25 for 104 yards and two interceptions in 2015 after going 5-3 in eight starts in 2014.

Stanton’s most memorable moment in 2015 came while standing on the sidelines being a cheerleader.  In the victory at the Seattle Seahawks, video went viral of him dancing and cheering on running back Andre Ellington as he scampered down the sidelines for a 48-yard touchdown run.

Who knew one of the most memorable plays of the entire season would be that one and not because of what happened on the field.  Either way, Cardinals fans should feel better now knowing the Cardinals will continue to have a veteran back Palmer up in case something should happen.  Now it will be interesting to see what the Cardinals do quarterback-wise in the draft in April.