So far in 2013, Carson Palmer has been way better than any of the other quarterbacks that have come in and out of town since Kurt Warner's retirement...and really better than any quarterback outside of Warner in quote a long time.
He has thrown for almost 3200 yards, 19 touchdowns, 17 interceptions for a passer rating of 83.2 and a 7-5 record. It projects to over 4200 yards and 25 touchdowns. Those are better numbers than any quarterback we have seen outside of No. 13. And this was with half a season of not having the offense in sync.
We obviously not the future. But could he still be the now and next year or two?
Darren Urban wrote about the team's search for a quarterback on the official team page and Palmer is still definitely ini the mix.
The team might draft a guy in the first round. They might go later.
Palmer is due to make $10 million in 2014, $2 million of which is guaranteed. If cut, he would still have a $6 million hit against the salary cap.
He is not the "franchise," but would he be the best option in 2014, even if they go get a rookie in what is considered a strong quarterback draft?
It is hard to think that any rookie would be able to produce 4000+ yards and 25+ touchdowns. That's what Palmer will give you. Yes, he turns the ball over, but so do rookies.
While I am not all in on Palmer, I am intrigued at the thought of his running the team from Day 1 with the offense actually doing what it should. If you look at the four games before the loss to the Eagles, would fans not be pleased with that sort of offensive output?
So while Palmer is not elite, he does fit what Bruce Arians said recently.
"There are a handful of elite guys. But there are guys you can take and when you put a great defense around them, they can win games."
So...how about Palmer in 2014, even with a rookie QB? Palmer could be that guy to play the Jon Kitna role, while the young guy does what Palmer did in his first season -- sit, learn and watch. Let's not forget that this offense is not easy to learn, as we have seen this season.
So, would you keep Palmer around to start another season? I think I might.