5 Best Quarterbacks in Arizona Cardinals History

Warner did only have a 27-30 record as a starter, but he guided the Cardinals to the top of the mountain in 2008 and was seconds away from becoming a champion after leading an improbable, 16-point fourth quarter storm back. Don’t mention the toe-tap to Cardinals fans, though.

Warner’s final three seasons represented one of the most fantastic comebacks in franchise history, as a struggling roster from 2005 to 2006 led to a 3-12 combined record in Warner’s starts, while he turned it around from 2007 onward to go 24-18, throwing for 3,400 yards in each of those three seasons.

While Warner’s finest days were in St. Louis at the turn of the millennium, don’t count out his excellent days as the leader of the Cardinals offense.

4. Carson Palmer (2013-2017)

Another example of a veteran quarterback who thrived in Arizona, Palmer started in explosive offenses led by Bruce Arians and had a fine stretch of three seasons after leaving Oakland.

His 2013 and 2015 seasons were particularly exceptional, as Palmer became the first quarterback in franchise history with two 4,000 yard seasons, the latter of which resulted in a 13-3 record, Pro Bowl and MVP-runner-up for Palmer, who tied Tom Brady and trailed Cam Newton during his incredible Super Bowl run in Carolina.

Palmer’s 38 wins is tied for third in franchise history, and his 16,782 passing yards and 105 touchdowns are both fifth among Cardinals quarterbacks.

3. Kyler Murray (2019-2025)

For all that Murray endured as a member of the Cardinals, and all of the sky-high expectations of the 2019 No. 1 pick after his Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign and MVP start to the 2021 season, he still deserves recognition as a top quarterback in franchise history.

Murray can certainly be argued as one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks in Cardinals history, an elite dual-threat player and one with quite a few iconic moments, including the “Hail Murray” to DeAndre Hopkins in 2020.

More so a “what-could’ve-been” than a dynamite franchise icon, it’s worth acknowledging that Murray’s 20,460 passing yards are third in franchise history and his 121 touchdowns are third as well. His 3,193 rushing yards are most by a Cardinals quarterback, too, if that helps.

2. Neil Lomax (1981-1988)

Another fair “what-could’ve-been” quarterback, Lomax will always be known as the steady hand that represents the Cardinals’ final years in St. Louis and their first year in Phoenix. Lomax was the passer that helped Roy Green reach uncharted territory for a receiver in 1984, as well as push Pat Tilley to new heights.

Despite having the second-most passing yards in franchise history (22,771), Lomax only managed one career playoff game – a 1982 Wild Card loss to Green Bay – and was part of teams that routinely came undone late in the season.

Lomax was a reliable presence under center and showed a knack for protecting the football, with an interception coming only 2.9% of the time.

1. Jim Hart (1966-1983)

Lomax did have the unenviable task of assuming starting quarterback duties from Hart, the all-time franchise leader in pass yards and touchdowns, each by a significant margin. From an undrafted product out of Southern Illinois to an 18-year NFL’er, Hart’s career – the vast majority of which was spent in St. Louis – was very impressive.

Hart reached new heights after his age-29 season, making four consecutive Pro Bowls from 1974 to 1977, making the playoffs in the first two of those seasons. Under Don Coryell, Hart led the “Cardiac Cardinals” to division titles in that span, and was mentioned as an All-Pro runner-up in 1974, winning the UPI NFC Player of the Year award.

Highly durable, Hart started 13 or more games in seven straight seasons from 1974 to 1980 before the Cardinals drafted Lomax as his eventual successor in 1981.