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The Arizona Cardinals are signing quarterback Cole McDonald to a futures contract, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The #AZCardinals are signing former #Titans 7th round pick QB Cole McDonald, source said. More depth for AZ from the ex-Hawaii QB who also played for the Conquerors of The Spring League.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 4, 2021
McDonald, the former 2020 seventh-round selection by the Tennessee Titans, was brought in for a tryout with the Cardinals before the start of the season in August and at the end of the year in late December.
In his three years at the University of Hawaii (two as starter), McDonald threw for 8,032 passing yards and 70 touchdowns. He also made plays with his legs, rushing for 880 yards with 12 touchdowns. He had a 16-11 win-loss record as a starter.
Though he put up a good 40 time (4.58) and vertical jump (36’’) in last year’s NFL Combine, McDonald struggled in the passing drills.
One of his biggest weaknesses was his deep ball accuracy. NFL Sports Analyst Lance Zierlein pointed out in his prospect profile that he had “disappointing deep-ball accuracy at just under 29 percent”.
With Brett Hundley scheduled to be a free agent and Chris Streveler’s struggle as a passer in the Cardinals’ regular season finale against the Rams, a quarterback addition seemed inevitable.
There is no question the Cardinals are intrigued with McDonald but he seems like a player that will battle to be the third quarterback on the depth chart at best instead of the primary backup job behind Kyler Murray.
It is expected that the Cardinals will add a veteran quarterback to backup Murray in what will be a crucial offseason for GM Steve Keim and head coach Kliff Kingsbury.