Report: Cardinals looking to trade Leinart

Matt Leinart was once thought of as the future at quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals. That was four years ago when he was selected in the first round of the 2006 draft.

Now he may be on his way out of town.

The former USC golden boy is reportedly being shopped by the Cardinals to three other teams, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. After the retirement of Kurt Warner in the offseason, the Cardinals--the NFC champions two years ago under Warner--were counting on Leinart to fill the void at quarterback. But following a poor preseason and training camp, Schefter reports that the Cardinals have discussed a possible trade involving Leinart with the Buffalo Bills, New York Giants, and Oakland Raiders.

Head coach Ken Whisenhunt did not start Leinart in the Cardinals' Week 3 preseason game against the Bears, opting to go with Derek Anderson instead. He'll do the same this week against the Redskins.

Whisenhunt on Tuesday said he believed the offence was better under Anderson in last week's game Chicago, prompting the coach's decision to keep things intact for Thursday's contest against Washington.

"It's my job as the head coach of this team to pick the best players for our squad. I didn't think, as the preseason progressed, that we were as efficient as we needed to be."

Leinart has struggled throughout Arizona's first three preseason games, and has only 161 total passing yards and one touchdown. His Week 2 performance against the Titans was Leinart's poorest showing. Unable to progress the offence downfield, the 27-year-old had only 28 passing yards.

How serious the talks are between the Cardinals and the three teams remains uncertain. But it has become clear that the Cardinals are willing to trade Leinart, writes ESPN, and likely during the final roster cuts this weekend.

Leinart told reporters earlier this week he felt as though he had outplayed Anderson. Leinart speculated that any problem with the Cardinals' coaching staff "goes beyond football."

Wisenhunt responed by saying he "understands where Matt's coming from." The two met to discuss the situation, a meeting that Wisenhunt said was needed.

"He definitely had some feelings he needed to get out and he came up and saw me and that was important."

The Bills' official website says the team has not discussed a trade, but Schefter cites two sources who say there have been ongoing discussions this summer.

The potential stumbling block is Leinart's contract. Leinart has a $2.485 million base salary this season, which escalates to $7.36 million next year.

-- With files from The Associated Press