ARIZONA CARDINALS

Arizona Cardinals release QB Kevin Kolb

Mar 15, 2013, 3:49 PM | Updated: 4:07 pm

Six weeks into the 2012 NFL season, it appeared the Arizona Cardinals may have found their franchise quarterback in Kevin Kolb.

In March of 2013, the search for that franchise signal caller continues.

The Cardinals announced Friday they have cut the quarterback, whose time in the Valley ends after a disappointing two seasons.

Reports circulated Friday that Kolb had rejected the Cardinals’ contract restructuring.

By releasing Kolb, the Cardinals will save $7.5 million against the 2013 salary cap, which is set at $123 million.

Acquired by the team from Philadelphia for cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a second round pick in August 2011, Kolb was expected to become the team’s solution at quarterback.

Since entering Week 1 in relief of an injured John Skelton, Kolb had completed 59.6 percent of his passes and thrown for 1,169 yards. He tossed eight touchdown passes against just three interceptions and, perhaps most important, had led the Cardinals to a 4-1 record.

Then Kolb suffered shoulder and rib injuries in a Week 6 loss to the Buffalo Bills, maladies he was unable to recover from. And now, the Kolb era in Arizona has come to an end.

Instead, injuries and ineffectiveness plagued the signal caller over the course of his time in Arizona, and with a $2 million roster bonus along with a $9 million salary on the way this season, and after adding free agent quarterback Drew Stanton, the franchise decided it best to part ways.

Kolb leaves Arizona having played in just 15 games for the Cardinals — including 14 starts. He threw for 3,124 yards with 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

John Gambadoro

The Gambo 5: Predicting whom the Arizona Cardinals pick 1st in 2024

Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze and two others are on Gambo's list of predicted Arizona Cardinals picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.

1 hour ago

Monti Ossenfort speaks at the NFL Combine...

Tyler Drake

NFL mock draft tracker: What will the Cardinals do with the No. 4 pick?

A look at the players being mocked to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 4 overall in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

3 hours ago

Steve Keim looks on...

Tyler Drake

Ex-Cardinals general manager Steve Keim ‘much happier now’ after rehab stint

Arizona Cardinals GM Steve Keim opened up about his mysterious leave of absence and parting of ways from the team on Tuesday.

21 hours ago

Presented By...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: What is the best move the Cardinals can make in the 1st round of the NFL Draft?

On this episode of Cardinals Corner, Arizona Sports Cardinals reporter Tyler Drake and do-it-all contributor Lauren Koval dive into their best- and worst-case scenarios for the Cardinals in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

22 hours ago

Malik Nabers celebrates...

Tyler Drake

Prisco: Cardinals ‘should’ take Malik Nabers over Marvin Harrison Jr. in NFL Draft

CBS Sports draft analyst Pete Prisco believes LSU's Malik Nabers should be the Cardinals' pick at fourth overall in his latest mock draft.

24 hours ago

Chop Robinson runs the 4-=yard dash at the NFL Draft Combine...

Tyler Drake

Which NFL Draft prospects are being mocked to Cardinals’ No. 27 pick?

A look at what NFL Draft analysts are thinking when it comes to the Arizona Cardinals' second first-round pick.

1 day ago

Arizona Cardinals release QB Kevin Kolb