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The Arizona Cardinals have Carson Palmer under contract essentially for this coming season. The deal he signed with the team last offseason was a three-year contract, but the third year voids a few days after the Super Bowl. It really isn't a third year, as it is not an option, but an actual voiding year. This viably means that the Cardinals could be done with him after this season.
The team also drafted quarterback Logan Thomas in the fourth round of the recently completed NFL Draft, and he is not anywhere near ready to see an NFL field. He is a developmental prospect. He will need more than one season before he might be ready to start games.
The Cardinals also have Drew Stanton, who is under contract for two more seasons. However, while Bruce Arians would like us to believe that he is a capable quarterback to start and win with, since he hasn't thrown a regular season pass since 2010, I don't think that anyone is buying it. Stanton as your starting quarterback for any situation other than injury means something is wrong.
So what does this mean? It means that Palmer has some leverage and he will need to have his contract extended before the end of the season. It won't be as simple as taking the voided third year language out. That's not how contracts work normally.
It will probably mean that even though the plan might be to have Palmer as the starter in 2015 before you pass the torch to Thomas, negotiations will probably mean he will get an extension through 2016. It would provide security for Palmer and also a security blanket for the team should Thomas not be ready to be a starter.
Cardinals fans, are you ready for Palmer in 2015 and maybe 2016? Does it depend on how he plays in 2014? Or should we roll with Logan Thomas or Drew Stanton in 2015?
