The Palmer Principle: Free agent QB might be a temporary solution for Cardinals

If/when the Oakland Raiders cut Carson Palmer, he could be an option for the Arizona Cardinals at quarterback. But I hope he isn’t looked at as a long-term solution. Palmer is 33 years old and although he had a very productive season in Oakland last year, the Cards need to find a guy they can plan and build around in the coming years.

Although Palmer would be a bridge quarterback, he would be a very good one. It’s not often a Q hits the free agent market that can still play — and Palmer can still play. He threw for over 4,000 yards, 22 touchdowns and had a quarterback rating of over 86 last season. What makes those numbers impressive is that he did it with one of the worst receiving corps in the league.

Palmer can still play, but I would like to see him prove it at a manageable number. The Cardinals have taken an even hand to free agency and I would like to see them continue that trend. Why not offer Palmer a one-year contract, like they have Rashard Mendenhall, Matt Shaughnessy and Antoine Cason? Or why not sign Carson to a multi-year contract that is incentive-based?

Reports are saying the Raiders are going to part ways with Palmer. And Palmer has never been a player that was more concerned with money than principle. Having invested wisely, he was ready to walk away from football rather than play for Mike Brown and the Cincinnati Bengals. He’s doing it again with the Raiders, refusing to take a pay-cut from the $13 million he would receive this year.

Palmer doesn’t need the money; what he needs is Larry Fitzgerald.

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