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1996: Boomer Esiason’s season with the Arizona Cardinals

By Jim Koch

Feb 1, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; Boomer Esiason is interviewed during the CBS Sports media availability at the Moscone Center in advance of Super Bowl 50 between the Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; Boomer Esiason is interviewed during the CBS Sports media availability at the Moscone Center in advance of Super Bowl 50 between the Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boomer Esiason’s one season with the Arizona Cardinals was a crazy roller-coaster ride that ultimately ended on a down note

The year was 1996, and the Arizona Cardinals were in need of a new quarterback. Newly-appointed head coach Vince Tobin had just released the noodle-armed Dave Krieg, who had thrown 21 interceptions the year before. An improvement at the position was in order.

Norman “Boomer” Esiason would be Tobin’s hand-picked choice. Word around the league was that Esiason, who had recently been released by the New York Jets, had little arm strength left. There was talk that he was struggling to make the throws required of a pro passer.

Just three games into the ’96 campaign, the rumors appeared to have some merit. Esiason was benched in the middle of a dreadful performance against the New England Patriots, the Cards’ third straight defeat. He was replaced by Kent Graham, who was also signed during the offseason.

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Graham would remain the starter until a knee injury sidelined him in week nine. The Cardinals, their record now at 3-6, were forced to give the reigns back to Esiason. What followed would be one of the best three-game stretches ever by an NFL signal-caller.

The first performance was a scintillating 37-34 triumph over the Washington Redskins. Esiason threw for an eye-popping 522 yards and three touchdowns at the legendary RFK Stadium. A late touchdown toss to Anthony Edwards tied the game, and a 32-yard field by Kevin Butler (Drew’s dad) in overtime won it.

The following week, Esiason went 18 for 27 for 260 yards and two scores in a home victory over the New York Giants. The veteran used all the weapons at his disposal, finding eight different pass-catchers throughout the day. The final score was 31-23, Arizona’s second-straight win over an NFC East division opponent.

The Cards remained at home for their third-straight division win seven days later. The club survived the Philadelphia Eagles, 36-30, when Esiason hit Marcus Dowdell for the winning touchdown in the waning seconds. Boomer saved his best game of the three for last, going 24 of 43 for 367 yards and three touchdowns with no picks.

Arizona had climbed back into the playoff race, but two straight losses following the streak ended those hopes. Esiason staged a walk-out after learning that he’d once again be on the bench for week 15. He and his agent contended that incentives in his contract, reachable if he were to keep playing, were the only reason he was again a backup.

Tobin vehemently denied the charges, saying his going back to the now-healthy Graham was strictly a football decision. After some convincing, Esiason did return to his teammates. The damage was done however, his heart was no longer with the Cardinals.

The team would finish with a losing record (7-9) in Tobin’s first year. Esiason’s contract squabble towards the end of the season did little to tarnish what he had accomplished during the three division victories in November. A truly special feat for all the Cards’ fans who got to witness it.

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