Why the Arizona Cardinals are the perfect trade partners for Alex Smith
By Matt Conner
As the Arizona Cardinals face questions at quarterback in 2018 and beyond, the Chiefs might have the perfect interim answer in Alex Smith.
Carson Palmer is taking things one year at a time. As the veteran enters his 14th NFL season, the Arizona Cardinals quarterback says he’s learned to listen to his body after the rigors of a season have settled. Only then will he know if he’s ready to come back for another year.
For a team that’s primed to compete now with fellow aging stars like Larry Fitzgerald alongside exciting young impact players like David Johnson. Palmer’s inclination to take things one year at a time puts the team in the perfect position to find his replacement. Unfortunately for fans wondering about the long-term stability of the position, the Cardinals allowed yet another offseason to slide by without finding Palmer’s eventual successor.
Word is, however, that the team was hot on Patrick Mahomes of Texas Tech had he been available at No. 13, where the Cardinals were positioned in the first round. After the Kansas City Chiefs traded up at No. 10 overall with the Buffalo Bills, the Cardinals went the safer route and bolstered the defense with their top two picks in linebacker Haason Reddick and safety Budda Baker. Both players will undoubtedly help them in the short and long haul, but questions around the most important position will linger.
The Cardinals current roster lacks inspiration behind Palmer, as Drew Stanton and Blaine Gabbert hold down the No. 2 and 3 positions on the depth chart. That’s fine for 2017. That’s definitely not okay for 2018.