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Coming into this offseason, the Cardinals had one of the worst set of quarterbacks in the NFL. That set got a little better today.
According to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, the rumored trade that will send Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer to the Cardinal is now official. The report also states that the Cardinals only gave up a seventh round pick, and that pick is only shipped to Oakland if Palmer starts enough games for the Cardinals.
In addition to being traded, Rapoport says that Palmer will be taking a pay cut, but not one that is huge. Palmer can earn up to $20 million over the next two seasons with $10 million guaranteed.
The Cardinals are still likely going to draft a young quarterback in this month's draft, but the addition of Palmer gives the Cardinals flexibility in grooming their quarterback of the future. Ideally, the Cardinals will get some of the high level of performance Palmer exhibited in Cincinnati and not what he showed off in Oakland.
In his nine NFL seasons, Carson Palmer has been an efficient passer. Palmer completed under 60% of his passes in only one season, 2008, but he only played in four games that year. Palmer has also thrown more than two touchdowns for every interception in the NFL. With an efficient passer that can throw the long ball well, the Cardinals hope to get their passing game back on track for the first time since Kurt Warner retired.
