ARIZONA CARDINALS

CBS insider: Cardinals’ Brian Hoyer and Kevin Kolb among most attractive free agent QBs

Jan 25, 2013, 10:07 PM | Updated: 10:56 pm

This just in, the Arizona Cardinals have attractive options at quarterback.

Now that thought may seem outrageous given that the team was forced to start four different guys at the position during a less-than-stellar 5-11 campaign in 2012.

Throw in the fact that as a team the Cardinals finished 28th in passing offense (188 yards/game) this season and that statement appears to be down right hilarious.


According to CBS NFL insider Jason La Canfora
, however, teams won’t be laughing if Brian Hoyer and Kevin Kolb hit the free agency market this spring.

In his Friday breakdown of the top offensive free agents potentially available at each position, La Canfora has Arizona’s duo ranked as the No. 4 and No. 5 best quarterbacks.

4. Brian Hoyer: Plenty of teams see him as a strong No. 2 who could thrive as a spot starter.

5. Kevin Kolb: Arizona was piling up wins before he got hurt; might not hit the market.

Hoyer, who signed with the Cardinals back on December 10, started the team’s season finale against the San Francisco 49ers and finished the season with 330 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

While Kolb’s season ended in Week 6 after he suffered a severe ribs and sternum injury, Arizona’s offensive woes had little to do with the former second-round pick.

In six games, Kolb threw for 1,169 yards to go along with eight touchdowns and two interceptions. He also went 3-2 as a starter.

After being shipped out of Philadelphia in July 2011, Kolb signed a six-year, $63.5 million contract with the Cardinals. As part of the contract, he is due a $2 million dollar roster bonus in March, but head coach Bruce Arians was rather non-committal last week as to whether or not the organization had a desire to keep any of their current quarterbacks.

“I know there’s some really good quality guys,” Arians told Arizona Sports 620’s Doug & Wolf. “If they’re our quarterbacks, we’re going to coach them up and they’re going to play their tails off.”

Arians might not frequent CBSSports.com, but from the looks of it, La Canfora’s advice for the first-year head coach is that door No. 1 might be more attractive than door No. 2.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Nolan Cooney...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals release P Nolan Cooney, sign 2 to active roster

The Arizona Cardinals released punter Nolan Cooney and added Blake Gillikin on Tuesday afternoon, the team announced.

4 hours ago

Dante Stills...

Tyler Drake

New era notes: Cardinals’ Dante Stills impressing as snaps pile up

Rookie Dante Stills is flying under the radar as he slowly but surely gets the chance to prove himself along the defensive line.

22 hours ago

Christian Matthew at training camp...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals release CB Christian Matthew, 2 others from 53-man roster

The Arizona Cardinals released cornerbacks Kris Boyd and Christian Matthew and offensive lineman Ilm Manning on Monday.

1 day ago

Presented By...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Bickley Blast: Why Arizona fans should be optimistic after weekend of Cardinals, Diamondbacks losses

It was a weekend of losses for sports teams across the Valley, including Team U.S.A. in the Ryder Cup, but Dan Bickley explains why Arizona sports fans should be optimistic heading into a new week. Video: Felisa Cárdenas/Arizona Sports Presented By

1 day ago

Michael Wilson celebrates...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals still show progress despite lopsided loss to 49ers

The scoreboard read in favor of the 49ers, but there were still positives to take away from the Cardinals' third loss of 2023.

2 days ago

Joshua Dobbs attempts a pass...

Arizona Sports

Rapid Reactions: Plenty for Cardinals to build off of after Week 4 loss to 49ers

Arizona Sports’ hosts, reporters and editors share their main takeaways from the Cardinals’ Week 4 loss to the 49ers.

2 days ago

CBS insider: Cardinals’ Brian Hoyer and Kevin Kolb among most attractive free agent QBs