Could Carson Palmer Go to the Arizona Cardinals?

Mike Jurecki of Xtra Sports is speculating on Twitter that the Arizona Cardinals are kicking the tires on acquiring Oakland Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer. Palmer has been unwilling to restructure his deal with the Raiders and his release could be imminent (h/t ESPN's Adam Schefter).

If Palmer finds his way to the desert, he will instantly upgrade the position and give Larry Fitzgerald his first legitimate quarterback since Kurt Warner retired.

Palmer is no longer a top-tier quarterback, but he did throw for 4,018 yards last year without a wide receiver anywhere near Fitzgerald. He also threw 22 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions. Of course, if a deal was agreed upon, it would require Palmer to restructure his deal for Arizona.

Palmer's desire (or not) to remain a starter will come into play. Arizona is perhaps the only place that Palmer could slide in as the starter. If Palmer has his eyes set on winning, he could find a home as a backup quarterback for a contender.

Fitzgerald has to be crossing his fingers. He was held to 798 yards and four touchdowns last year. Even without quality quarterback play in 2011, Fitzgerald managed 1,411 yards and eight touchdowns. 

He went from being a top-five fantasy football receiving option to a guy who didn't belong in starting lineups even in three-wide receiver leagues.

Fitzgerald will turn 30 in August, so there is still plenty left in the tank. Palmer is 33 and should be able to produce for a couple of more seasons. While he's obviously not the long-term answer in Arizona, he could at least help get Fitzgerald back on track.