The Cardinals are “very high” on Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson and are willing to trade up in the draft in order to select him, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. If Arizona fails to land Watson, the club could instead target Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who’s expected to hit the free agent market.
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Arizona, of course, already has an incumbent signal-caller in Carson Palmer, but he’s reportedly considering retirement and the Cardinals are unsure if he plans to play in 2017. Given that wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald announced that he’ll play at least one more season in the desert, Palmer may be more apt to return, too, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who adds that Palmer and Fitzgerald are “tied at the hip.”
Watson could still make sense for the Cardinals even if Palmer does continue his career, as the latter is now 37 years old and nearing the end of his NFL run. Long projected as a first-round pick, Watson has a chance to be selected within the top-10, and may not get past the Browns at pick No. 12. Arizona sits one pick later at No. 13, and could need to move up in order to find its long-term franchise quarterback, an area of focus I pointed to when assessing the Cardinals’ top offseason needs.
Taylor, on the other hand, probably isn’t a fit for Arizona unless Palmer hangs up his cleats, as Taylor is unlikely to accept an offer to become a backup quarterback. Buffalo is expected to decline an option on Taylor that would guarantee him north of $30MM, and instead allow him to reach the open market. Over the past two seasons, Taylor has completed 62.6% of his passes while averaging 18 touchdowns and six interceptions per year, adding more than 1,000 yards on the ground during that span.
Tyrod makes no sense in a Bruce Arians offense why would the cards want him.
They’ve been saying for the past year or so that Arians’ tenure might be over soon. Not because he’s going to be fired but I thought I remember reading that he has some health issues.
You misread that JT.Arians even said the only way he retires is if he gets fired and I believe it since he seems like the type of guy that will put his health at risk in order to win a champion.I say the only way Arians retires is being fired or he wins a couple rings.
There was speculation by other coaches, although it was never confirmed by Cardinals officials, that Arians might consider retirement after his contract ends because of his previous health issues. Not trying to say you’re wrong, you’re probably 100 percent right because I do feel like Arians is the type to put his health at risk, but after seeing Gary Kubiak step down suddenly, I wouldn’t be surprised if Arians contemplated retirement when his contract is up.
Not saying Kubiak doesn’t love the game, I’m sure he does but Arains lives, breaths, eats, and sleeps football. I honestly don’t think arians will retire until he is fired because he doesn’t know what to do with himself outside of being a football coach.