With the Raiders finalizing a deal to acquire quarterback Matt Flynn from the Seahawks, the Raiders are now closing in on another deal, to trade quarterback Carson Palmer to the Cardinals.
Michael Silver of Yahoo Sports reports that the Cardinals are close to finalizing a deal that would send Palmer to Arizona and would send one of the Cardinals’ mid-round draft picks to Oakland. A source told Silver the Palmer trade hasn’t been completed but it is “likely to be soon.”
As part of the deal, Palmer is apparently willing to take a significant pay cut from the $13 million he’s due in 2013 on his current contract. That must mean Palmer sees Arizona as a much more attractive spot for him this season than Oakland, as Palmer was reportedly unwilling to take any pay cut at all to stay with the Raiders.
In Arizona, Palmer would likely take the top spot on a crowded quarterback depth chart that also includes Drew Stanton, Brian Hoyer, Ryan Lindley and John Skelton. Although Cardinals coach Bruce Arians has previously said he doesn’t think he needs another quarterback, he’s apparently about to get another quarterback, and Carson Palmer is about to become Arizona’s starter.