Quarterback possibilities for the Arizona Cardinals
By Jim Koch
The Arizona Cardinals may seek an experienced quarterback to hold down the fort, while a rookie signal-caller learns his trade
Come this April, the Arizona Cardinals may finally do it. Many believe that the organization should’ve already drafted a quarterback to lead them into the future. Now that Carson Palmer has hung up the cleats, the selection of a rookie passer in this year’s NFL Draft should be a no-brainer.
But even if the Cardinals do draft a youngster, chances are that he won’t be playing right away. In that case, Arizona will need someone to take the reigns until Palmer’s heir-apparent is ready to take over. Such a player is referred to as a “bridge”, as in a “bridge” to the future.
There’s a select number of candidates scheduled to become free agents in March who fit that description. Possibilities who the Cards will most likely be able to sign for a reasonable rate. Breaking the bank for what’s basically a temporary solution for the position wouldn’t make a whole lot of sense.
With the hiring of new head coach Steve Wilks, the Cardinals will be implementing a brand new offense in 2018. The coordinator is Mike McCoy, who more than likely has his own ideas about who should run his system.
The Minnesota Vikings’ Sam Bradford could be an interesting choice. The 30-year old missed most of 2017 with a bum knee, opening the door for Case Keenum to be the starter. Whether Bradford would be a fit for what McCoy wants to do is unknown at this time.
McCoy worked with Brock Osweiler when Arizona’s new play-caller held the same job with the Denver Broncos. Two different stints with the former Arizona State product, as a matter of fact. Besides his having knowledge of McCoy’s scheme, there are really no benefits to bringing Osweiler to the desert, however.
38-year old Josh McCown is still making a living in the league. The Cards’ third-round draft pick in 2002 has been injury-prone, but is still a capable performer. McCown would be an intriguing acquisition, and great mentor for a first-year signal-caller.
Could either Drew Stanton or Blaine Gabbert be brought back to the nest? Stanton has worked with Arians for quite some time now, so the the 33-year old would be starting from scratch with McCoy. But the same goes for the others mentioned in this article as well, with the exception of Osweiler.
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The drafting of a quarterback and the signing of a mentor for him is just one option for the 2018 Cardinals. The signing of a quality free agent such as Kirk Cousins, or a trade for a solid starter like Alex Smith would most likely squash that plan. We can only hope that Arizona’s front office has a strategy in place to fill the most-important position on their football team.