Carson Palmer to return to Cardinals for 2017 season

Feb 9, 2017, 1:11 PM | Updated: 3:02 pm

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Monday, Oct. 17, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

BY ADAM GREEN

Arizona Sports

It seemed to be only a matter of time, but on Thursday it became official: Carson Palmer will play in 2017.

The Arizona Cardinals’ quarterback, 37, was pondering retirement, but ultimately decided he was not quite ready to call it a career.

And there it is: Carson confirms he's coming back pic.twitter.com/UGJ4OASkRb

— Mark Dalton (@CardsMarkD) February 9, 2017

It is a positive development for the Cardinals, who last season finished 7-8-1 but remain confident they are not far off from being Super Bowl contenders. Palmer, who missed one game this season due to a concussion, is a big part of that, as he passed for 4,233 yards and 26 touchdowns in 2016.

While Palmer was mostly solid this past season, he was not as good as he was in 2015 when he was third in MVP voting after throwing for 4,571 yards and 35 touchdowns in guiding the Cardinals to a 13-3 record and a berth in the NFC Championship Game. Part of that could be due to the players around him, however, as he was sacked 40 times in 15 games (compared to 25 in all 16 last season) and had a very inconsistent group of receivers.

Palmer is under contract through the 2018 season, and will be entering his fifth campaign with Arizona. In 53 games as the team’s starter, the team has posted a 35-17-1 record while he has completed 62.6 percent of his passes for 14,804 yards with 96 touchdowns and 50 interceptions.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws a touchdown pass agianst the Seattle Seahawks in the first half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) looks to pass, during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) leaves the field at the end of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Dolphins defeated the Cardinals 26-23. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws as Washington Redskins inside linebacker Will Compton (51) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Carson Palmer is grabbed by Minnesota Vikings DE Everson Griffen in the Arizona Cardinals' loss on Nov. 20, 2016. (Associated Press)

Arizona Cardinals' Carson Palmer (3) looks to pass against the Carolina Panthers in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) his hit as he throws by Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin during the second half of a football game, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) scrambles as Seattle Seahawks defensive end Frank Clark (55) pursues during the first half of a football game, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws over Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Tony McDaniel (93) during the first half of a football game, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of a football game, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) greets New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) after an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 17, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 28-3. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws against the New York Jets during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 17, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Monday, Oct. 17, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) is pressured by New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (96) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 17, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) is pressured by Buffalo Bills linebacker Lerentee McCray (56) during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) looks to throws against the New England Patriots during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) is sacked by New England Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers (98) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws against the New England Patriots during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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