This is the opportunity Drew Stanton has wanted for years. The new Arizona Cardinals quarterback just wants to compete for a starting job.
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That never happened in Detroit, where Matthew Stafford was drafted as Stanton entered his second year. Stanton hand-picked the New York Jets as a free agent after the 2011 season with hopes of competing with Mark Sanchez, but Tim Tebow was brought in shortly after. That effectively ended Stanton's time with the Jets, as he asked for a trade and was dealt to the Indianapolis Colts, but there was no shot there with Andrew Luck drafted No. 1.
Stanton signed a three-year, $8.2 million contract to follow Bruce Arians from indy to Arizona, where he'll have a fair opportunity on a team with major quarterback issues. Incentives could push the deal to $20.2 million.
"They need to find an answer at this position," Stanton said during his introductory news conference, according to The Arizona Republic. "I want to be that answer. I'm going to do everything in my power to be that answer, and given that opportunity, I feel like I can."
Kevin Kolb was brought to the Cardinals in 2011 to be their franchise quarterback, but that has been a failed experiment. Kolb is due a $9 million salary in 2013 and a $2 million bonus this weekend. The Cardinals likely will release him if he doesn't take a pay cut. Arians will have options to take into training camp, including Kolb, Stanton, probably a drafted quarterback and two part-time starters from 2012.
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Stanton knows the offense and has a previous relationship with Arians. This is his best opportunity to prove himself as a starting NFL quarterback.
UPDATE: Kolb is expected to be released, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported, according to two sources briefed on the situation. One source told Rapoport that Kolb "won't be on the roster by this weekend."
Follow Kareem Copeland on Twitter @kareemcopeland.
