Cardinals' Arians: Palmer not the problem

The Arizona Cardinals were a Super Bowl contender in 2015.

In part because of Carson Palmer's MVP-like play. A year on, however, the 4-5 Cardinals are on course to miss the playoffs, and Palmer appears to be in decline.

The veteran quarterback has thrown 13 touchdowns to 10 interceptions, and his passer rating has fallen from a career-high 104.6 in 2015 to 83.6.

While critics outside the building are placing the Cardinals' struggles firmly on Palmer's shoulders, head coach Bruce Arians refuses to do so.

"They're wrong on that one," Arians said Wednesday, according to Kyle Odegard of the team's official website.

"But Carson, he put a lot of trust in some guys that haven't come through for him," Arians added.

As Arians points out, Arizona's passing game has regressed across the board, with receivers John Brown and Michael Floyd struggling to repeat their strong performances from last season. Even Larry Fitzgerald hasn't found the end zone since early October, though he is on pace for another 100-catch season.

"We thought that would be one of the strengths of our offense," Arians said.

Regardless of whether he truly deserves the majority of the blame, Palmer understands the responsibility that comes with playing quarterback.

"You're the bum or the hero, depending on the win or loss," Palmer said. "That's the way the game is played. I learned that in, I think, fifth grade. When I started playing quarterback, that was one of the first things the coach taught us."