The Cardinals need to upgrade the roster after a poor 2018 season, and while the No. 1 overall pick awaits in April, first comes free agency. General Manager Steve Keim has significant cap space to use for the first time in his tenure and could be aggressive. We will take a look at each position group in the days leading up to free agency, which begins on March 13.
Free agent primer: Quarterbacks
Cap hit of players under contract for 2019 (via OverTheCap.com): Mike Glennon ($4 million); Josh Rosen ($4 million); Charles Kanoff ($495,000).
Scheduled free agents: None
Need: Low
Analysis: The Cardinals' quarterback position has been analyzed ad nauseum the past few weeks, as speculation about Kyler Murray and Rosen persists. While all eyes will be on the Cardinals during the draft, there isn't expected to be much – if any – movement at the position in free agency.
The Cardinals don't need another quarterback unless coach Kliff Kingsbury wants to add a backup that fits his system better than the current options. However, Glennon is in many ways an ideal second-stringer, as he is the type of player who can keep the team competitive in a pinch while also accepting his spot in the pecking order. Glennon has a $500,000 roster bonus due on March 17, according to OverTheCap.com. (UPDATE: Glennon was released on Friday.)
Kanoff made enough of an impression as an undrafted free agent last offseason to stick on the practice squad, and he was re-signed to a future contract in January. Kanoff will compete for a roster spot as teams carry either two or three quarterbacks on the active roster.
The Cardinals were aggressive in free agency a year ago when they had no quarterbacks on the roster, but are in a better position to lay low this time around.
Notable past free agent quarterback signings: Sam Bradford (2018); Glennon (2018); Blaine Gabbert (2017); Stanton (2013); Derek Anderson (2010); Kurt Warner (2005); Shaun King (2004); Boomer Esiason (1996); Jim McMahon (1994); Steve Beuerlein (1993).
