Carson Palmer is the Arizona Cardinals Quarterback of the (Near) Future

The Arizona Cardinals extended Carson Palmer through the 2018 season, basically acknowledging the fact that Carson Palmer is the Arizona Cardinals quarterback of the future.

This isn't to get into a pissing match in the comments about Matt Barkley, Drew Stanton, Logan Thomas or Phillip Sims, no this is about a statement that the Arizona Cardinals made, in my opinion on their present and near future quarterback situation.

Carson Palmer is the Arizona Cardinals quarterback of the future.

Drew Stanton's contract runs through 2017, the Arizona Cardinals can re-sign him, but he will be 35 years old when Carson Palmer's contract runs out in 2019.

Matt Barkley's contract runs through 2016, the Arizona Cardinals can re-sign him, but he will be 29 years old when Carson Palmer's contract runs out in 2019.

The Arizona Cardinals could re-sign both players through the 2019 season and conceivably have them battle to take over for Palmer in 2019, but will Barkley want to wait that much longer for a shot?  Will Stanton trust the Arizona Cardinals to not bring in another quarterback for competition?

Carson Palmer will be 37 when this season ends, whenever it is, and is believed by the Arizona Cardinals to be the better option in 2017 and 2018.

The Cardinals believe that Palmer gives them the best chance to win in 2017 and 2018.

What the Arizona Cardinals have done is also extend the ability to find the player they want to groom as the heir apparent... Or perhaps open themselves up to make a play for a free agent quarterback in 2018 (Matt Stafford) or 2019 (right now Blake Bortles).

Whatever the plan is, at least the arguments about who takes over for Palmer can subside for a couple years... Hopefully.