Cardinals QB Mike Glennon will enter season with eyes wide open

TEMPE, Ariz. – When Mike Glennon’s agency, Athletes First, began discussions with Cardinals general manager Steve Keim on a two-year deal worth $8 million, Arizona had no quarterbacks under contract.

By the time Glennon arrived for the team’s first organized team activities (OTAs), he had veteran Sam Bradford ahead of him on the depth chart and rookie first-round pick Josh Rosen (No. 10) pushing him from behind.

“You know that in this league, situations are always fluid and anything can happen, but they didn’t say anything other than coach [Steve] Wilks saying the best player will play,” Glennon said Wednesday when asked how he fits into this mix.

“Obviously, I want to come in here and compete and do the best I can, but at the same time, I think I’m in a role now where I’m going to help by being another veteran Sam can talk to and then with a young rookie, a guy he can talk to as well. I’ve been around two highly drafted players (2017 second overall pick Mitch Trubisky in Chicago and 2015 first overall pick Jameis Winston in Tampa Bay). Hopefully, he’ll use me as a resource.”

Glennon, 28, is trying to rebuild a reputation that took a major hit after he signed a three-year, $45 million deal with the Bears last season. He lost his job to Trubisky after four games, going 1-3 with a 76.9 passer rating, four touchdowns and five interceptions.

“Obviously, it wasn’t what I wanted, but it’s something I’ve put behind me,” Glennon said. “I think [Arizona offensive coordinator] Mike McCoy’s system fits me well. He’s an experienced coordinator who has been around some really good quarterbacks with Peyton [Manning] and Philip [Rivers]. He brings an expertise to the room, and I think it’s an offense that fits all of us well.”

Tampa chose Glennon in the third round (73rd overall pick) of the 2013 NFL Draft. He started 13 games his rookie season, completing 247 of 417 passes (59.4 percent) for 2,608 yards, 19 touchdowns and nine interceptions, but he lost his starting job to veteran Josh McCown the following year and then backed up Winston in 2015 and 2016.

Glennon did not know Bradford before the two signed with the Cardinals, but he met Rosen about a month before the draft at an Athletes First event (the agency also represents Rosen).

“We talked a little about the draft, I asked him how he was doing and then, you never know in this business, the next thing you know, he’s my teammate,” Glennon said, laughing. “I’ve been really impressed by him, his approach, his intelligence and his talent level, just from the short time I’ve been here.”

If Rosen continues to impress, he could quickly climb past Glennon on the depth chart. With lingering concerns about Bradford’s health, there remains the chance that Rosen’s opportunity will come sooner than expected. If that happens, Glennon’s time in Arizona could be a short one.

Glennon is cognizant of all those possibilities, but his familiarity with fellow North Carolina State alumnus Steve Keim made him comfortable taking a chance on Arizona.

“I think this will be a good quarterback room where we can all help each other out,” Glennon said. “I will help those other two guys out as much as I can and also the rest of the team, especially the skill players that are younger. As a quarterback, I think you always have to take on that role. I’m looking forward to it.”

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