ARIZONA CARDINALS QUARTERBACK HISTORY: Everything You Need to Know
Arizona Cardinals Quarterback History is a rich and storied one that spans over a century. From the early days of the team's relocation to the Grand Canyon State to the current era of elite quarterbacks, this article will provide a comprehensive guide to the history of the Cardinals' signal-callers.
Early Years (1898-1969)
The Arizona Cardinals, originally known as the Chicago Cardinals, played their first game in 1898. The team moved to St. Louis in 1960 and eventually settled in Arizona in 1988. In the early years, the team had several quarterbacks who held the position, but none were particularly standout performers.
Some notable quarterbacks from this era include:
- Pat Flaherty (1920-1926): Flaherty was one of the first notable quarterbacks in Cardinals history, playing for the team during its early days in Chicago.
- Charlie Tripp (1927-1928): Tripp was a backup quarterback who saw significant playing time during the late 1920s.
- Johnny Huffman (1929-1930): Huffman was a journeyman quarterback who played for the Cardinals during their early days in Chicago.
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The Cardinals moved to St. Louis in 1960, but the team's quarterback history remained relatively uneventful during this period.
The Paul Horning Era (1970-1979)
Paul Horning took over as the Cardinals' head coach in 1970 and led the team to a few winning seasons, including a division title in 1974. During this era, the team had several quarterbacks who played for the team, including:
- Stew Barber (1971-1972): Barber was a journeyman quarterback who played for the Cardinals during the early 1970s.
- Gary Keithley (1973-1974): Keithley was a backup quarterback who saw significant playing time during the 1973 season.
- Jim Hart (1975-1977): Hart was the most successful quarterback of the era, leading the team to a division title in 1974 and throwing for over 14,000 yards in his career.
The Cardinals moved back to Arizona in 1988, bringing a new era of quarterback history with them.
The Bus and Warner Era (1990-2008)
The 1990s saw the emergence of quarterback Trent Green and the arrival of quarterback Kurt Warner. This era marked a turning point for the Cardinals, who began to experience success on the field. The team won a division title in 2001 and made the playoffs several times during this period. Notable quarterbacks from this era include:
- Trent Green (2000-2001): Green was a journeyman quarterback who played for the Cardinals during the early 2000s.
- Kurt Warner (2005-2009): Warner is widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks in Cardinals history, leading the team to a Super Bowl appearance in 2008 and throwing for over 35,000 yards during his career.
- Matt Leinart (2006-2009): Leinart was a Heisman Trophy winner who played for the Cardinals during the late 2000s.
Warner's arrival marked a new era for the Cardinals, who began to experience success on the field and attract a larger following.
The Palmer and Keim Era (2010-2018)
The 2010s saw the arrival of quarterback Kevin Kolb and the emergence of quarterback Carson Palmer. This era was marked by several winning seasons and a Super Bowl appearance in 2015. Notable quarterbacks from this era include:
- Kevin Kolb (2011-2012): Kolb was a journeyman quarterback who played for the Cardinals during the early 2010s.
- Carson Palmer (2013-2017): Palmer was a veteran quarterback who led the team to several winning seasons and a Super Bowl appearance in 2015.
- Blaine Gabbert (2014-2016): Gabbert was a backup quarterback who saw significant playing time during the mid-2010s.
The Cardinals' quarterback history has been marked by several eras of success, from the early days of the franchise to the current era of elite quarterbacks.
Modern Era (2019-Present)
The modern era of the Cardinals has seen the emergence of quarterback Kyler Murray, who was drafted first overall in 2019. Murray has led the team to several winning seasons and set multiple franchise records. Notable quarterbacks from this era include:
- Kyler Murray (2019-present): Murray is the current quarterback of the Cardinals and has led the team to several winning seasons.
- Colt McCoy (2020-2021): McCoy was a veteran quarterback who played for the Cardinals during the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
The Cardinals' quarterback history is rich and storied, spanning over a century and featuring several eras of success. From the early days of the franchise to the current era of elite quarterbacks, the team has had its share of standout signal-callers.
| Quarterback | Years Played | Passing Yards | Passing TDs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Hart | 1975-1978 | 14,778 | 122 |
| John Elway | 1983-1987 | 10,017 | 70 |
| Warren Moon | 1999-2000 | 6,142 | 33 |
| Josh Rosen | 2018-2019 | 2,944 | 11 |
| Kyler Murray | 2019-present | 10,562 | 64 |
Early Years: The Foundational Era
The Arizona Cardinals quarterback history began in the early days of the franchise, which was founded in Chicago in 1898. The team moved to St. Louis in 1960 and then to Arizona in 1988. During this foundational era, the team had several quarterbacks who laid the groundwork for future success. One of the most notable players from this period was Jim Hart. Hart played for the Cardinals from 1966 to 1984 and holds the franchise record for most career passing yards (33,734). He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and was inducted into the Cardinals' Ring of Honor in 2001. Another quarterback from this era who deserves mention is Don Majkowski. Majkowski played for the Cardinals from 1987 to 1992 and was a talented quarterback who showed great promise. Although he had a short tenure with the team, he left a lasting impact on the franchise. Other notable quarterbacks from this era include Neil Lomax and Jim Otis.The Keith Mogan Era: A New Direction
In the 1990s, the Arizona Cardinals quarterback position underwent a significant transformation with the arrival of Keith Mogan. Mogan played for the Cardinals from 1991 to 1995 and brought a new level of excitement to the position. During his tenure, he led the team to their first playoff appearance in over a decade. Mogan's playing style was characterized by his strong arm and ability to make plays with his legs. He was a fan favorite and is still remembered fondly by Cardinals' enthusiasts. Mogan's impact on the franchise extended beyond his playing career. He played a crucial role in the development of Don Majkowski, who went on to become a key quarterback for the team. The duo's partnership helped shape the team's identity and laid the groundwork for future success.The Trent Green and Jake Plummer Era: A Period of TransitionThe Trent Green and Jake Plummer Era: A Period of Transition
The late 1990s and early 2000s saw a significant shift in the Arizona Cardinals quarterback position with the arrival of Trent Green and Jake Plummer. Green played for the Cardinals from 2003 to 2005 and brought a level of experience and leadership to the team. Although he had a short tenure with the team, he left a lasting impact on the franchise. Green's playing style was characterized by his strong arm and ability to make accurate passes. Plummer, on the other hand, played for the Cardinals from 2005 to 2009. He was a talented quarterback who showed great promise, but his time with the team was marked by inconsistency and injuries. Despite this, Plummer remains a fan favorite and is still remembered for his clutch performances.The Kurt Warner and Kevin Kolb Era: A Period of Resurgence
The mid to late 2000s saw a resurgence of the Arizona Cardinals quarterback position with the arrival of Kurt Warner and Kevin Kolb. Warner played for the Cardinals from 2007 to 2009 and brought a level of experience and leadership to the team. He led the team to their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history in 2008. Warner's playing style was characterized by his accuracy and ability to make clutch plays. Kolb, on the other hand, played for the Cardinals from 2010 to 2012. He was a talented quarterback who showed great promise, but his time with the team was marked by inconsistency and injuries. Despite this, Kolb remains a fan favorite and is still remembered for his clutch performances.The Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton Era: A Period of Transition
The early 2010s saw a significant shift in the Arizona Cardinals quarterback position with the arrival of Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton. Palmer played for the Cardinals from 2013 to 2017 and brought a level of experience and leadership to the team. He led the team to the playoffs in 2014 and 2015. Palmer's playing style was characterized by his strong arm and ability to make accurate passes. Stanton, on the other hand, played for the Cardinals from 2014 to 2017. He was a talented quarterback who showed great promise, but his time with the team was marked by inconsistency and injuries. Despite this, Stanton remains a fan favorite and is still remembered for his clutch performances.| Quarterback | Years Played | Passing Yards | Touchdowns | Interceptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Hart | 1966-1984 | 33,734 | 240 | 200 |
| Don Majkowski | 1987-1992 | 8,619 | 47 | 53 |
| Neil Lomax | 1984-1989 | 10,937 | 71 | 81 |
| Jim Otis | 1988-1991 | 5,394 | 30 | 34 |
| Keith Mogan | 1991-1995 | 8,373 | 47 | 43 |
| Trent Green | 2003-2005 | 8,000 | 54 | 34 |
| Jake Plummer | 2005-2009 | 12,511 | 80 | 62 |
| Kurt Warner | 2007-2009 | 14,491 | 100 | 49 |
| Kevin Kolb | 2010-2012 | 6,568 | 39 | 22 |
| Carson Palmer | 2013-2017 | 15,833 | 102 | 53 |
| Drew Stanton | 2014-2017 | 4,451 | 27 | 19 |
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