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Bruce Arians would be 'very, very comfortable' with Blaine Gabbert as starting QB in 2018

"The way he’s playing right now, I’d be very, very comfortable," Arians said.
Quarterback Blaine Gabbert of the Arizona Cardinals drops back to pass during the NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the University of Phoenix Stadium on Nov. 26, 2017. (Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Blaine Gabbert has impressed many with his play in two starts. He has thrown five touchdown passes in two games. He has led the Cardinals to a win.

Coach Bruce Arians said Gabbert will continue to start. “We’re going to stick with Blaine right now,” he told reporters at his press conference Monday.

He praised him for his play and for his progress in the offense.

He even said he could be part of the future of the team.

When asked about the possibility of Gabbert being a starter for the team in 2018 should Carson Palmer retire after the season, he didn’t shy away from the question.

“The way he’s playing right now, I’d be very, very comfortable,” he said.

In two starts, he has shown enough promise where he could be at least part of the equation. Whether he becomes the clear-cut starter for the next several seasons, a temporary starter to bridge the gap to a young quarterback they draft or simply as a backup, he appears to be a good fit.

Drew Stanton is a free agent after the season and is 33 years old. At a minimum, he could be a younger version of Stanton as the backup moving forward. His ceiling might be long-term starter.

The question is whether Arians has a Stanton-level comfort or a Palmer-level comfort with Gabbert at this point.

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