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Arizona Cardinals Qb History

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April 11, 2026 • 6 min Read

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ARIZONA CARDINALS QB HISTORY: Everything You Need to Know

Arizona Cardinals QB History is a comprehensive guide to understanding the rich and storied history of the Arizona Cardinals quarterbacks. From the early days of Paul Horning to the current era of Kyler Murray, this article will take you through the highs and lows of the team's signal-callers.

Early Years: Paul Horning to Jim Hardy (1945-1957)

The Arizona Cardinals, then known as the Chicago Cardinals, began their journey in the NFL in 1898. During the early years, the team struggled to find a consistent quarterback. Paul Horning, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, was the first notable quarterback to don the Cardinals' uniform. He led the team to a 1945 NFL Championship appearance, but ultimately fell short.

Jim Hardy, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, took over as the team's quarterback in 1948. Hardy led the team to two more NFL Championship appearances, but the team's success was short-lived. The team's struggles continued, and Hardy's tenure ended in 1957.

The Paul Wiggin Era: Charley Johnson and Lamar McHan (1958-1963)

The Cardinals' next quarterback, Charley Johnson, was a six-time Pro Bowl selection. Johnson led the team to a 1963 NFL Championship appearance, but the team's success was again short-lived. Lamar McHan, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, took over as the team's quarterback in 1960 and led the team to a few more seasons of mediocrity.

The Paul Wiggin era was marked by inconsistency and a lack of success. The team's quarterback play was a major contributor to their struggles, and it would take several years for the team to find a consistent signal-caller.

  • Charley Johnson (1959-1966): 6 Pro Bowl appearances, 1 NFL Championship appearance
  • Lamar McHan (1960-1963): 2 Pro Bowl appearances

The Stan Mauldin Era: Charley Johnson and Pat Haden (1964-1977)

Charley Johnson returned to the Cardinals in 1964 and led the team to a few more seasons of mediocrity. The team's quarterback play continued to be a major issue, and it would take several years for the team to find a consistent signal-caller.

Pat Haden, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, took over as the team's quarterback in 1975 and led the team to a few more seasons of success. However, the team's struggles continued, and Haden's tenure ended in 1977.

  • Charley Johnson (1964-1966): 2 Pro Bowl appearances
  • Pat Haden (1975-1977): 2 Pro Bowl appearances

The Neil Lomax Era: Neil Lomax and Dave Krieg (1979-1988)

The Cardinals' next quarterback, Neil Lomax, was a four-time Pro Bowl selection. Lomax led the team to a few more seasons of success, including a 1982 NFC Championship appearance. Dave Krieg, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, took over as the team's quarterback in 1988 and led the team to a few more seasons of mediocrity.

The Neil Lomax era was marked by inconsistency and a lack of success. The team's quarterback play was a major contributor to their struggles, and it would take several years for the team to find a consistent signal-caller.

  • Neil Lomax (1979-1984): 4 Pro Bowl appearances, 1 NFC Championship appearance
  • Dave Krieg (1988-1991): 2 Pro Bowl appearances

The Modern Era: Kurt Warner, Carson Palmer, and Kyler Murray (1998-2019)

The Cardinals' next quarterback, Kurt Warner, was a two-time NFL MVP and Super Bowl champion. Warner led the team to a 2008 NFC Championship appearance, but the team's success was short-lived. Carson Palmer, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, took over as the team's quarterback in 2013 and led the team to a few more seasons of mediocrity.

Kyler Murray, a 2019 Heisman Trophy winner, took over as the team's quarterback in 2019 and led the team to a few more seasons of success. Murray's tenure has been marked by inconsistency, but he has shown flashes of brilliance and has the potential to be a long-term solution at the quarterback position.

The modern era has seen a significant improvement in quarterback play for the Cardinals. With the emergence of Kyler Murray, the team may finally have found a consistent signal-caller.

Quarterback Years Pro Bowl Appearances NFL Championship Appearances
Kurt Warner 1998-2003 2 1
Carson Palmer 2013-2017 2 0
Kyler Murray 2019-present 1 0

Conclusion

The Arizona Cardinals' quarterback history is a complex and multifaceted topic. From the early days of Paul Horning to the current era of Kyler Murray, the team has struggled to find consistent quarterback play. However, with the emergence of Murray, the team may finally have found a long-term solution at the quarterback position. Whether or not Murray can lead the team to success remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Arizona Cardinals' quarterback history is a rich and storied one that will continue to shape the team's future for years to come.

arizona cardinals qb history serves as a fascinating case study in the ever-changing landscape of the NFL. With a rich history dating back to 1898, the Arizona Cardinals have had their fair share of talented quarterbacks who have left an indelible mark on the franchise. In this article, we will delve into the in-depth analytical review, comparison, and expert insights of the Arizona Cardinals QB history.

Early Years: The Foundational Quarterbacks

The Arizona Cardinals' early years were marked by a series of quarterbacks who laid the foundation for the team's future success. One of the most notable quarterbacks from this era is Paddy Driscoll, who played for the team from 1925 to 1929. Driscoll was a pioneering figure in the NFL, known for his exceptional leadership and passing abilities. He led the team to two division titles and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965. Another notable quarterback from this era is Johnny "The Jet" McNally, who played for the Cardinals from 1933 to 1936. McNally was a speedster who could run with the ball and make plays with his legs. He was a fan favorite and helped lead the team to a division title in 1934.

The Modern Era: The Rise of Charley Johnson and Jim Hart

The modern era of the Arizona Cardinals saw the rise of two quarterbacks who would go on to become franchise legends: Charley Johnson and Jim Hart. Johnson played for the Cardinals from 1962 to 1975 and is the franchise's all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns. He was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and was known for his accuracy and pocket presence. Hart, on the other hand, played for the Cardinals from 1960 to 1971 and is the franchise's all-time leader in passing attempts and completions. He was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and was known for his ability to extend plays with his feet. | Quarterback | Years | Completions | Attempts | Passing Yards | Touchdowns | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Charley Johnson | 1962-1975 | 1,413 | 2,454 | 18,914 | 136 | | Jim Hart | 1960-1971 | 1,846 | 3,379 | 21,997 | 149 |

The Modern Era (Cont.): The Arrival of Carson Palmer and Josh Rosen

The modern era of the Arizona Cardinals saw the arrival of two quarterbacks who would go on to become franchise leaders: Carson Palmer and Josh Rosen. Palmer played for the Cardinals from 2013 to 2017 and is the franchise's all-time leader in passing touchdowns. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and was known for his arm strength and accuracy. Rosen, on the other hand, played for the Cardinals from 2018 to 2019 and is the franchise's all-time leader in passing yards per game. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and was known for his mobility and ability to extend plays with his feet. | Quarterback | Years | Completions | Attempts | Passing Yards | Touchdowns | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Carson Palmer | 2013-2017 | 1,683 | 2,764 | 19,567 | 138 | | Josh Rosen | 2018-2019 | 562 | 1,116 | 6,459 | 27 |

Expert Insights and Analysis

When analyzing the Arizona Cardinals QB history, it becomes clear that the team has had its fair share of talented quarterbacks who have left an indelible mark on the franchise. From the foundational quarterbacks of the early years to the modern era leaders, each quarterback has brought their unique style and abilities to the table. One of the key takeaways from this analysis is that the Cardinals have had a tendency to develop quarterbacks who are known for their accuracy and pocket presence. Quarterbacks like Charley Johnson and Jim Hart were known for their ability to make plays from the pocket, while Carson Palmer and Josh Rosen were known for their arm strength and accuracy. Another key takeaway is that the Cardinals have had a tendency to struggle with quarterback consistency. The team has had a number of quarterbacks who have had successful seasons, only to be followed by seasons of inconsistency. This has led to a lack of continuity at the quarterback position, which has hindered the team's ability to build a winning culture.

Comparison to Other Teams

When comparing the Arizona Cardinals QB history to other teams in the NFL, it becomes clear that the Cardinals have had a unique trajectory. While teams like the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers have had a consistent stream of talented quarterbacks, the Cardinals have had a more patchwork approach. However, the Cardinals have had a number of advantages that have allowed them to compete with other teams. For example, the team has had a strong defense throughout the years, which has allowed them to win games even when their quarterbacks have struggled. Additionally, the Cardinals have had a number of talented wide receivers who have been able to make plays even when their quarterbacks have been inconsistent. | Team | QB History | Completions | Attempts | Passing Yards | Touchdowns | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Green Bay Packers | Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers | 2,433 | 3,990 | 31,607 | 222 | | Pittsburgh Steelers | Terry Bradshaw, Ben Roethlisberger | 2,056 | 3,460 | 28,131 | 198 | | Arizona Cardinals | Charley Johnson, Jim Hart, Carson Palmer, Josh Rosen | 2,112 | 3,741 | 25,765 | 174 |

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Arizona Cardinals QB history is a fascinating case study in the ever-changing landscape of the NFL. From the foundational quarterbacks of the early years to the modern era leaders, each quarterback has brought their unique style and abilities to the table. While the team has struggled with quarterback consistency, they have had a number of advantages that have allowed them to compete with other teams.

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