Arizona Cardinals Need Plan for Future at Quarterback

The Arizona Cardinals were great last season, but something must change to move past its superior competition.

We’re tackling each team in the league, traveling alphabetically through the franchises, debating their present and future NFL success. Dan Salem and Todd Salem debate in today’s NFL Sports Debate. Two brothers from New York yell, scream, and debate sports.

TODD:

The Arizona Cardinals had a splendid season in 2015, but it surely ended before they were ready for it to. Also, the way things ended must have left a nasty taste in everyone’s mouth. Getting absolutely walloped by the Carolina Panthers may have proved one of two things: it was just one game where anything can happen, or this team has some deep problems that need to be taken care of.

One of those deep problems could be behind center where quarterback Carson Palmer seemed to wilt under the pressure of the postseason yet again. The 36-year-old, 12-year veteran has just one playoff win in his career, and that came this season against Green Bay. His teams have barely gotten to the playoffs, and when they have, Palmer has done little to help.

He was atrocious in the loss to Carolina, but even in the Green Bay victory, Palmer barely completed 60 percent of his throws and tossed a pair of interceptions. If not for a putrid Packers’ performance on the offensive side as well, the Cardinals would not have advanced.

Removing the small sample size of the postseason from the argument, Palmer is 36, entering his 13th year and has been riddled with injuries at every stop of his career. Arizona needs another plan for quarterback moving forward.

Backup Drew Stanton is a pending free agent this offseason, and he is also already 31 years old. Do the Cardinals look to upgrade that spot considerably? I say yes.

There are a number of intriguing options that could be available when free agency opens in March. Up-and-coming potential lies in the likes of Brock Osweiler or Kirk Cousins, though they will likely garner huge contracts. Does the team dare use a first-round draft pick on a rookie QB to learn for a time under Palmer?

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In our 2016 NFL Mock Draft, we saw Paxton Lynch get taken one spot before the Cardinals selected. If Lynch, or one of the trio of first-round quarterbacks, is still on the board at 29, does Arizona pull the trigger?

I know the offense was splendid this past season, but it just seems like that may have been because of a combination of superb skill players and a career year health-wise for Palmer. The superb skill on offense will remain for whoever plays QB. The latter is unlikely to ever happen again though, and that’s before even counting on Palmer in the biggest games of the year.

DAN:

I’m a big Carson Palmer fan, but father time is an enemy that always wins. He got injured during the 2014 season and it completely derailed the Cardinals. Palmer stayed healthy last season and the team excelled. Losing to a team like the Panthers in the playoffs is nothing to be ashamed of. Carolina lost two games all year and one of them was the Super Bowl. But you’re asking the right questions. How can Arizona improve, when it seems their quarterback may have peaked?

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Palmer was fourth overall among quarterbacks in 2015. Arizona needs him to keep that going at least one more season. If Carson can maintain his stellar output for sixteen more games, the Cardinals can groom his replacement. Overall their offense was 2nd in passing and 8th in rushing. The defense was equally as impressive. Getting a young playmaker is integral for their continued success, regardless of position. The team needs its future leader in place. Palmer brings true leadership to the Cardinals, and that will be the most difficult asset to replace.

I’m against Arizona drafting a first round quarterback, however. The label of a first round pick is not something you want weighing down your future quarterback, when you know he won’t play for at least a year or two. If one of the top QBs in this year’s draft falls into the second round, go get him Arizona. But the free agent class this season is more than ideal. There are a number of quarterbacks who need a fresh start, can be an excellent backup, and may be right to take over first team duties in another season or two.

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If I’m a Cardinals’ fan, I’m concerned about signing youth at the skill positions. A young wide receiver, pass rusher, or even a quarterback like RG III will have an opportunity in Arizona to develop or re-develop their place in the league. Winning the NFC West is the goal again next season, with making the Super Bowl a close second. Add young blood and this team will continue to rock and roll.