New contract for Colt McCoy is a smart move by the Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals were smart enough to realize that veteran quarterback Colt McCoy is the ideal backup for Kyler Murray.

For the better part of 2021, free-agent pickup Colt McCoy was receiving rave reviews for the role he was playing with the Arizona Cardinals. The team needed a mentor for quarterback Kyler Murray, and the 35-year-old appeared to be the perfect man for that job.

On Monday, the first day of the NFL’s “legal tampering” period, the Cards made a smart move. The franchise re-signed McCoy to a two-year, $7.5 million contract, a deal that includes $6 million in guaranteed cash. The fact that Arizona wasted no time in bringing the veteran back into the fold is a clear indication of McCoy’s extreme importance to the squad.

McCoy is a tremendous upgrade over both Brett Hundley and Chris Streveler, the two signal-callers who served as backups on the Cardinals 2020 depth chart. The 5-foot-10, 207-pound Murray is one of the league’s smallest passers, a lack of size that could make him more susceptible to injury. Therefore, the presence of a capable backup on the roster is pretty much a necessity.

Colt McCoy proved how important he is to the Arizona Cardinals last season

During a Week 8 loss to the Green Bay Packers last fall, Murray suffered an ankle injury that would sideline him for the next three games. McCoy would be pressed into action, but expectations were not high by any means at the time.

In Week 9, McCoy led the Cards to an impressive road win over the San Francisco 49ers. The 6-foot-1, 212-pounder completed 22 out of his 26 attempts for 249 yards and a touchdown during the 31-17 triumph.

McCoy did not play well during a week 10 defeat to the Carolina Panthers, but the University of Texas product bounced back in a big way the following Sunday. During a road matchup with the Seattle Seahawks in Week 11, McCoy was absolutely phenomenal. The 12th-year pro made good on 35 of his 44 throws for 328 yards and two scores during the 23-13 victory.

Kudos to Arizona general manager Steve Keim for recognizing McCoy’s value to the organization. The contract he received to act as insurance for the diminutive Murray is money well spent.