It’s no secret that the Arizona Cardinals are entering a rebuild and will need to find a more permanent solution to the quarterback position than is currently on the roster. In turn, there’s been plenty of speculation about how the Cardinals may try and acquire Ty Simpson.
Simpson isn’t the only quarterback who is going to be available in the NFL Draft, though, and the Cardinals need to do their due diligence. That’s why it raised some eyebrows recently when NFL reporter Aaron Wilson reported that Arizona has also met extensively with North Dakota State Bison quarterback Cole Payton.
2025 would be the only of five college seasons where Payton was the starting quarterback for North Dakota State. However, he had long since played a key role in the Bison’s offense, due to his athleticism and running ability.
For his part, Payton has been taking plenty of visits, including with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Indianapolis Colts. Wilson would also note that the New York Jets and the Philadelphia Eagles have met extensively with Payton, the same language he used regarding the Cardinals.
What to Know About Arizona Cardinals Quarterback Target Cole Payton
GettyNorth Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton
At 23 years old, redshirt senior Cole Payton is a veteran of FCS football, spending his entire college career at North Dakota State, where he committed early on, despite FBS offers later in his recruitment. While there, the Bison would win two national championships.
In the end, Payton would play in 52 games and make 13 starts at quarterback. That saw him complete 70.3% of his passes for 3,190 yards and 21 touchdowns to 6 interceptions. He also rushed for 1,919 yards and another 31 touchdowns on the ground.
A left-handed quarterback, at the NFL Combine, Payton ran a 4.56 40-yard dash. That was the third-best among quarterbacks in this year’s class. In fact, in all his measurables for speed and agility, Payton finished among the three best at his position. At the time, NFL analyst Lance Zierlein shared some insight into what he sees from the Bison quarterback.
“Payton is a dual-threat, single-season FCS starter with good size,” Zierlein wrote. “He’s a lefty with shoddy mechanics and subpar arm talent, but he still manages to deliver throws with touch to all three levels. He lacks drive velocity to dot throws into tight windows and might not have the timing needed to outfox pro zone defenders, though. He’s not shifty but excels when short yardage is needed and has build-up speed for explosive runs once he gets rolling. Payton projects as a QB3 and will require packaged plays to take advantage of his rushing ability until he proves himself a functional pocket passer.”
The Cardinals could be willing to draft multiple quarterbacks, which would allow them to take Simpson and Payton. It’s happened before, including with the New England Patriots in 2024, drafting Drake Maye and Joe Milton. Given that Payton is regarded as a Day 3 pick and Simpson is a borderline first-round pick, it’s an option to consider.
Jacoby Brissett is Looking for a New Contract from the Cardinals
GettyArizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett
As it stands now, the Cardinals have three quarterbacks on the roster, with Jacoby Brissett expected to be the team’s starting quarterback if no roster changes are made. That has, in turn, led to an interesting contract dispute between Brissett and Arizona.
In particular, Brissett is reportedly looking for a deal that will have more security and guaranteed money. That’s led to him missing the opening of Arizona’s offseason program.
The Cardinals will likely be willing to come to terms with Brissett on a new deal. However, with the rumors surrounding Arizona in the NFL Draft, particularly as it relates to the quarterback position, it’s clear that they’re looking for the quarterback of the future.
Cardinals Have Met Extensively with a Surprise Quarterback Ahead of NFL Draft