Carson Palmer: Latest News, Rumors and Speculation on Cardinals QB's Future

Rob GoldbergJan 29, 2017

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer has yet to decide whether he will return for the 2017 NFL season.

Continue for updates.

TOP NEWS

Fitzgerald Return Reportedly Encouraging for Palmer

Wednesday, Feb. 1

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald's decision to return next season is a "good sign" regarding Palmer's return.

Rapoport reported on Jan. 29 that both Palmer and receiver Larry Fitzgerald are considering retirement. They've had conversations with the team brass, but neither player has made a final decision.

The team hopes to get more clarity by the middle of February, though there is no deadline for either player to make an announcement.

"I guess nothing’s ever official until it is, but I’d like to play if my body responds the way I hope," Palmer texted to Dan Bickley of AZCentral.com earlier this month.

Palmer Coming Off Rough 2016 Campaign

Palmer was one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL in 2015, posting a 104.6 passer rating and a league-best 79.3 QBR, per ESPN.com. His performance helped the Cardinals post a 13-3 record while advancing to the NFC title game.

Unfortunately, the 2016 season did not go as expected, as the team posted a 7-8-1 record. Palmer struggled with accuracy and saw his passer rating drop to 87.2, while his QBR fell to 60.4.

Even with the struggles, many around the Cardinals organization expect the 37-year-old quarterback to return for his 14th NFL season.

"The way he played down the stretch makes you believe he's coming back," head coach Bruce Arians said, per Bickley. "But he got beat up pretty good last year. So you never know."

General manager Steve Keim also said he believes Palmer and Fitzgerald will return.

"Based on the conversations I had with both of them in training camp, I would be surprised if they didn't play next year," Keim told Arizona Sports 98.7 FM's Doug & Wolf in December.

If Palmer does retire, the Cardinals will likely need to find a replacement in the draft or free agency to battle Drew Stanton and Zac Dysert for the starting spot.