Another big quarterback domino has fallen
The NFL’s quarterback musical chairs reached a fever pitch on the day before free agency officially begins.
Case Keenum, who came off the bench to lead the Minnesota Vikings to an 11-3 record and an NFC championship game appearance last year, agreed to a deal with the Denver Broncos that reportedly will pay him $36 million over two years.
The Vikings will replace him with Kirk Cousins, who was cast aside by Washington when the Redskins traded for the Chiefs’ Alex Smith. Cousins reportedly will sign a three-year deal worth more than $80 million guaranteed.
Drew Brees, who had been courted by Minnesota, decided to stay put, agreeing to a two-year, $50 million extension with the New Orleans Saints.
All of that activity left the Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills and New York Jets as the remaining teams seeking a starting quarterback.
Well, the Jets and Bills now stand alone.
According to multiple reports, the Cardinals will sign former Viking Sam Bradford.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter says it’s a one-year deal worth $20 million, with $15 million guaranteed.
Arizona found itself in need of a starting quarterback when Carson Palmer announced his retirement Jan. 2.
Bradford won the Heisman Trophy at Oklahoma and was selected first overall in the 2010 draft by the St. Louis Rams.
He never lived up to the lofty expectations of a top pick, and was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in a 2015 deal that sent Nick Foles to the Rams.
After one season there, Bradford was on the move again. The Eagles dealt him to Minnesota after they drafted Carson Wentz with the second overall pick in the 2016 draft.
Bradford had his best season in 2016 with the Vikings, completing 71.6 percent of his passes while throwing for 3,877 yards and 20 touchdowns against five interceptions.
Throughout his career, he has struggled to stay healthy. Bradford hasn’t started 16 games since 2012.
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The 30-year-old’s knee problems ended his 2017 season after two games, paving the way for Keenum’s surprising season in Minnesota.
The Cardinals, under the direction of new head coach Steve Wilks, are gambling that Bradford will be able to stay on the field for the 2018 season and make great use of star receiver Larry Fitzgerald in what might be the 34-year-old wideout’s last season.
There’s also a good chance Arizona will be looking for its quarterback of the future in April’s NFL draft. Several reports have linked the team to Wyoming’s Josh Allen.
The Jets and Bills also figure to be in the hunt for a rookie quarterback as they look at the scraps remaining in the free agent market.
Now that Arizona will land Sam Bradford, it leaves the Jets and Bills still in search of veterans.
Veteran QBs available include Teddy Bridgewater, Josh McCown and AJ McCarron.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2018
The NFL’s free agency period officially opens Wednesday.
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