The Arizona Cardinals will likely start the season with quarterback Kyler Murray missing games, as he is recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in December.
While Colt McCoy could be the starter, that is not a given, and he is recovering from a minor offseason procedure that will limit him in the offseason program that starts next month.
In the meantime, it is believed the Cardinals are looking for a quarterback in free agency to add to the roster.
The presumed top target, Jacoby Brissett, is off the board, having agreed to a one-year deal with the Washington Commanders.
Below are some other options for the Cardinals if signing a quarterback is still in their plans.
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Teddy Bridgewater
Being a backup and having make a few starts is familiar territory to Bridgewater. He did it last year for the Dolphins and previously for the Saints.
He also started 29 games over two seasons for the Panthers and Broncos in 2020-2021.
He knows offensive coordinator Drew Petzing from their time with the Minnesota Vikings.
Gardner Minshew
Minshew was the backup for the Eagles last season, so he would know Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis.
He has been a starter and a backup and he is a lot of fun as a starter.
However, the Colts, whose new head coach, Shane Steichen, was his offensive coordinator last season.
Carson Wentz
Wentz is a former Eagle, but he predates the time Gannon was there as defensive coordinator. The former No. 2 overall pick got benched by the Commanders last season.
New receivers coach and passing game coordinator Drew Terrell would know Wentz, but because of his benching last season, perhaps that doesn’t help Wentz as a candidate.
The ceiling for his play is extremely high. He has been pretty bad, too.
Matt Ryan
Ryan was recently released by the Colts after one season in which he wasn’t very good.
Known for his great years with the Atlanta Falcons, Gannon was defensive quality control coach for Atlanta in 2007, so he would know Ryan.
Ryan might retire and might want a starting job that isn’t temporary. Quarterbacks who have great careers don’t often end them as backups.
Marcus Mariota
Mariota was the starter for the Falcons last season for 13 games. He wasn’t bad, passing for 15 touchdowns and 9 interceptions, and he had an okay passer rating of 88.2.
He left the team after he was benched in favor of rookie Desmond Ridder.
