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.

Arizona Cardinals

DeAndre Hopkins...

Arizona Sports

Breer: ‘There’s a healthy divide’ on what ex-Cardinal DeAndre Hopkins has left

The MMQB's Albert Breer sees a split between those who think Hopkins still has something left and those who feel his price tag is too steep.

22 hours ago

DeAndre Hopkins speaks after a game...

Dan Bickley

DeAndre Hopkins’ release ends WR’s selfish legacy with Cardinals

For the second time in three years, DeAndre Hopkins is moving on to another team and bringing little or nothing of value in return.

22 hours ago

Zaven Collins tackles Dalvin Cook...

Tyler Drake

Vikings hosting joint practices with Cardinals ahead of preseason matchup

The Minnesota Vikings are hosting the Arizona Cardinals for joint practices ahead of their preseason tilt on Aug. 26.

22 hours ago

DeAndre Hopkins...

Tyler Drake

Positives of DeAndre Hopkins’ release outweigh negative of Cardinals not trading WR

The Arizona Cardinals missed out on receiving some kind of trade compensation for DeAndre Hopkins this offseason. And that's OK.

22 hours ago

DeAndre Hopkins, Deshaun Watson...

Arizona Sports

DeAndre Hopkins market could include Deshaun Watson reunion on Browns

DeAndre Hopkins has an advocate in Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, his former Houston Texans teammate.

22 hours ago

Colt McCoy #12 of the Arizona Cardinals throws the ball during the first quarter in the game agains...

Torrence Dunham

Cardinals QB Colt McCoy in lower third of PFF rankings ahead of 2023 season

Pro Football Focus doesn't have much confidence in the quarterback position of the Arizona Cardinals ahead of the 2023 season, ranking starter Colt McCoy in the No. 29 spot out of 32 teams.

2 days ago

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