The Cardinals are busy surveying the free agent landscape, hoping to add more key pieces to a core which has won 21 games over the past two seasons. Free agency begins on March 10, and we'll break down the team's needs at each position leading up to the signing period.
Free agent primer: Quarterback
Cap numbers of players under contract for 2015: Carson Palmer ($14.5 million); Drew Stanton ($3.87 million); Logan Thomas ($618,023)
Scheduled free agents: Ryan Lindley
Need: Low
A look at the notable quarterbacks who are scheduled to hit free agency
Mark Sanchez
Josh McCown
Colt McCoy
Christian Ponder
Shaun Hill
Michael Vick
Brian Hoyer
Matt Flynn
Jimmy Clausen
Austin Davis
Matt Hasselbeck
Case Keenum
Jake Locker
Ryan Mallett
Analysis: The Cardinals have no reason to dip into the free agency market at quarterback. While Palmer and Stanton both suffered knee injuries a season ago, they should both be available for the start of the season. Thomas wasn't ready for action as a rookie, but the coaching staff wants to give him a healthy amount of snaps this offseason to see if he can be a viable option in the future. The free agency class is weak, and no one available would be a clear upgrade over Stanton as a backup. If the Cardinals sign someone, it figures to simply be an extra arm for offseason practices with Palmer still rehabilitating his torn ACL. The draft would be a more likely place to acquire a quarterback this offseason, but even that seems like a longshot. This is one position where the team seems ready to move forward with the same group as a year ago.
Notable past free agent QB signings by the Cardinals: Stanton (2013); Derek Anderson (2010); Kurt Warner (2005); Shaun King (2004); Boomer Esiason (1996); Jim McMahon (1994); Steve Beuerlein (1993).
