ESPN’s Yates: Cardinals have ninth-best backup quarterback situation
With a prevalent injury history and his future unknown, the guys playing behind him could be vital.
QBs Blaine Gabbert and Drew Stanton chat during an OTA practice June 1. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports)
(Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports)
Carson Palmer is 37-years old. In the last three years alone, he has bruised a nerve in his shoulder, tore his ACL, dislocated his right index finger and sustained a concussion.
With a prevalent injury history and his future unknown, the guys playing behind him could be vital.
Those backups, as of now, are Drew Stanton and Blaine Gabbert.
Stanton has been Palmer’s backup since 2014 and has shown to be more then capable of coming in right away and winning games. In 2014, Palmer’s injuries resulted in Stanton starting eight games, coming out with a 5-3 record.
Gabbert joined the Cardinals this offseason after spending 2016 with the 49ers. The former first-round pick, now going into his seventh season, kicked off last season as the starter, but a 1-4 record resulted in him being demoted to the backup.
With two guys behind Palmer that have plenty of experience, ESPN’s Field Yates puts the Cardinals backup quarterback situation as the ninth-best in the NFL.
In Drew Stanton and Blaine Gabbert, the Cardinals have a clearly defined hierarchy behind Carson Palmer. Stanton has served as Palmer’s backup since 2013, going 6-3 in starts. Former first-round pick Gabbert began the 2016 season as San Francisco’s starter but lost his job after going 1-4 while throwing five touchdown passes and six interceptions. He can be a suitable third-string QB while Arizona searches for the long-term successor to the 37-year-old Palmer.
The other quarterback on the Cardinals training camp roster is Trevor Knight. The rookie undrafted free agent out of Texas A&M isn’t likely to make the Cardinals’ final 53-man roster but should see extended time during the Cardinals’ five preseason games.
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Comments
4 Comments
Ah man I think we were 3rd or 4th last season! I am hoping Gabbert can exceed the expectations in our system & take the job from Stanton.
BACKUP QB'S GET READY! My sources tell me Palmer may be out, Knee injury!!!
I would think Arizona's back-up QB's situation would be one of the best in the league, I think they rank higher than 9th. QB Drew Stanton is a very good game manager & back-up QB, the competition is only going to push him, sharpen his skills & will make him a better QB.
The QB I will be looking very hard at this pre-season is 6"4/230pd QB Blaine Gabbert. Gabbert has everything you want in a QB w/ a rocket arm that perfectly suits Arians offense. Thru the first 4 practices he has looked very good dropping some absolute dimes on long passes, hitting Dobson on a 45yd throw in stride. But that's without pressure. Arians is an excellent QB mentor though & Blaine is picking the offense up extremely fast. Gabbert has never in his career had anywhere near this much talent around him, as he has always played on the worst teams in the NFL & with the Jaguars played one some of the worst teams the NFL has seen over the last 20yrs. W/ an Excellent pass protecting offensive line in front of him, an Elite rushing offense lead by the best RB in the NFL & one of the most loaded receiving units in the NFL possessing more speed than any other roster in the NFL, Gabbert could surprise and play pretty well. Worst case scenario he will be a very good backup, but I will be watching him very close this pre-season & thru camp.