Kerry Collins Retirement Could Affect Cardinals In QB Search

In what caused a mixed reaction among football fans, especially in Tennessee, quarterback Kerry Collins announced his retirement after 16 season in the NFL. He will never be remembered as one of the greatest quarterbacks of our era, but he had himself a solid career, throwing for more than 40,000 yards in his career and taking the New York Giants to the Super Bowl. 

While it may not have really surprised anyone that he retired, his leaving football could have an effect on the NFC quarterback scene, perhaps even the Arizona Cardinals. 

With Collins out of the picture, it means that Tennessee will be in the market for a veteran quarterback to bridge the gap until newly drafted Jake Locker is ready to take over. It means that the Vince Young days are numbered because the franchise seems to have moved on from him. 

Matt Hasselbeck is the name that has been connected the most to the Titans in (technically not) offseason rumors. This could affect the Seattle Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals alike. 

Kevin Kolb is reportedly coveted by both franchises and Hasselbeck has been connected to both as well. Let's say either one or the other lands Kolb. If that happens, the team that loses out on him may not have Hasselbeck to fall back on because he may already be taken out of the picture by the Titans. 

Assuming things go this way, it would leave one team or the other searching for a third, fourth or even fifth choice, considering the speed with which free agent signings and trades will take place upon the ending of the NFL lockout.

This does not necessarily ruin the Cards QB situation, but who knew that the retirement of an old, (mostly) washed-up 16-year veteran quarterback could dramatically change the course of the Cardinals' offseason plans? I would not have predicted that months ago.