Arizona Cardinals want Drew Stanton?

Indianapolis Colts backup quarterback Drew Stanton found his way into Indy by way of a trade, as the New York Jets traded the solid career backup to the Colts last offseason in late March. The Jets packaged a seventh-round pick with Stanton and received a sixth-rounder out of the Colts in what was a solid deal for Indianapolis. The Colts needed some depth leading up to the draft (where they obviously selected Andrew Luck), and they got it in a competitive leader.

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Stanton is 28 years old and will never be anything more than a career backup, but his competitiveness is contagious and he’s a pretty good backup. His accuracy is horrendous and throwing motion is awkward, but there is no denying Stanton’s arm strength and raw arm talent. He’s also a pretty tough quarterback and is always studying up on tape.

According to Dan Pompei of the National Football Post, “there are some rumblings” that the Arizona Cardinals are interested in signing Stanton this offseason, as he is set to hit unrestricted free agency. New Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians worked closely with Stanton in 2012 as the Colts offensive coordinator, and Pompei writes that Arians was impressed with Stanton’s performance in practices and in the preseason. He also liked Stanton’s meticulous preparation.

A number of teams will be interested in bringing in Drew Stanton this offseason as a backup, but Pompei thinks the Arizona Cardinals will have the edge. Not only is Stanton familiar with Arians and his offensive system, but Pompei also adds that Arizona presents the best chance that Stanton has at getting a starting role. The Cardinals need a quarterback, and even adding Stanton as a backup (his accuracy is too poor for him to be starting material, and I’d prefer Kevin Kolb to him) would be a good decision for Arians and the Cardinals. The familiarity that Stanton has is both good for the Cardinals and for the quarterback who could join them.

The backup the Cardinals signed this season as a quick replacement, former New England Patriots backup Brian Hoyer, is set to hit free agency as well and is unlikely to stick around in Arizona.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter @SorianoJoe.