Niner Noise
FanSided

Which NFL teams will need a quarterback in 2018?

By Peter Panacy

Nov 29, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) tumbles into the photographers after spiking the ball during the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. The Arizona Cardinals defeated the San Francisco 49ers 19-13. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) tumbles into the photographers after spiking the ball during the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. The Arizona Cardinals defeated the San Francisco 49ers 19-13. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 30, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) reacts to a sack by Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short (99) during the game between the Carolina Panthers and the Arizona Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium. Carolina wins 30-20 over Arizona. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) reacts to a sack by Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short (99) during the game between the Carolina Panthers and the Arizona Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium. Carolina wins 30-20 over Arizona. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /

Arizona Cardinals

Quarterbacks on Roster: Carson Palmer, Drew Stanton, Blaine Gabbert, Zac Dysert, Trevor Knight

Veteran quarterback Carson Palmer will turn 38 years old at the tail end of this upcoming season, and the Arizona Cardinals’ chances of rebounding from last year and making the playoffs largely hinge on his ability to stay healthy.

Health has been a concern for Palmer, and all a Cardinals fan has to do is think back to the disastrous 2014 QB carousel when Palmer missed all but six games that year.

With Palmer under center, paired with a good defense, Arizona has an excellent chance to contend within a now-weak NFC West. But there isn’t a legitimate backup option here. Neither Drew Stanton nor Blaine Gabbert inspire much confidence, and another injury to Palmer would be a major disaster.

A common thought during the NFL Draft would be the Cardinals targeting former Texas Tech QB Patrick Mahomes as Palmer’s eventual replacement. But the Kansas City Chiefs ended up nabbing Mahomes in Round 1 instead, leaving Arizona shelving this need until later.

But it’s a need that can’t be put off for long.

Palmer’s NFL career is entering its later days, and the Cardinals will hope he can hold onto just one more season.