TEMPE, Ariz. -- At some point, most likely soon, the Arizona Cardinals will need to find a long-term solution at quarterback.
Quarterback Carson Palmer, who is out until Week 16 with a broken left arm, is under contract through 2018, although his $12.5 million base salary that season is not guaranteed next season. It's possible, however, that this could be his last year in the NFL, should he decide to retire after the season. And both Drew Stanton and Blaine Gabbert are scheduled to be unrestricted free agents after this season.
There's a possibility that the Cardinals won't have any quarterbacks on their roster when the league year ends in March.
Arizona will have a few options after this season to address their future at quarterback: Draft one, re-sign either Stanton and/or Gabbert, or sign a veteran in free agency. One free-agent option the Cardinals can probably rule out, however, is Jimmy Garoppolo, who was traded from the Patriots to the 49ers on Monday, according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
That still leaves 33 other quarterbacks who are scheduled to be free agents in 2018, according to ESPN Stats & Information, including the likes of Sam Bradford, Drew Brees, Kirk Cousins and Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Other quarterbacks whose contracts are scheduled to expire after the 2017 season include Derek Anderson, Tyler Bray, Teddy Bridgewater, Joe Callahan, Kellen Clemens, Jay Cutler, Chase Daniel, Austin Davis, Zac Dysert, David Fales, Chad Henne, Kevin Hogan, Case Keenum, Ryan Mallett, EJ Manuel, AJ McCarron, Josh McCown, Matt Moore, Brock Osweiler, Jake Rudock, Mark Sanchez, Tom Savage, Geno Smith, Scott Tolzien, Joe Webb and Brandon Weeden.
