Kent Somers

azcentral sports

The Cardinals went through the busiest time of free agency and then the draft without adding a quarterback, but that streak ended on Wednesday, according to an NFL source.

Blaine Gabbert, a former starter with the Jaguars and 49ers, is signing a one-year deal with the Cardinals. His base salary will be $855,000.

Gabbert worked out for the Cardinals last week. Early Wednesday afternoon, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians was asked about Gabbert.

“When you look at some young quarterbacks, the situation they get in (determines) whether they fail or not,” Arians said.

The Jaguars drafted Gabbert 10th overall out of Missouri in 2011. He lasted three years with Jacksonville before moving on to the 49ers. In six seasons, Gabbert is 9-31 as a starter and has completed 56 percent of his pass attempts with 38 touchdowns and 37 interceptions.

But Gabbert wasn’t surrounded by much talent, and Arians remains intrigued by his potential.

“I had a very, very high grade on him (in the 2011 draft),” Arians said on Wednesday at a “media day” to promote two upcoming fundraisers for his family’s foundation. “I thought he showed a lot being in the read option last year. He almost beat us twice.”

Gabbert actually played only once against the Cardinals – in 2016. Arizona won 33-21, and Gabbert completed 18 of 31 passes for 162 yards, one touchdown with two interceptions. He rushed for 70 yards and a touchdown

Arians believes Gabbert could be productive behind a good offensive line and better receivers.

“When you look at the receivers he’s played with – I’m not knocking them in any way – they can’t touch ours,” Arians said. “He would have never played with the kind of receivers he would have here. And he fits our system.”

Gabbert gives the Cardinals five quarterbacks on the roster, including Carson Palmer, Drew Stanton, Zac Dysert and rookie Trevor Knight.

It’s unknown how long the team plans to keep all five.

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A good cause

The Arians Family foundation has two fundraisers planned this month.

The first is the inaugural Topgolf Family Challenge on May 21, from 4-7 p.m. at Topgolf in Gilbert.

Guest will have the opportunity meet Cardinals players, coaches and their families.

The next evening, May 22, the foundation will hold its third annual fundraiser at Steak 44 in Phoenix. A VIP cocktail reception begins at 6 p.m. and dinner starts at 7 p.m.

For more information on the events, go to ariansfamilyfoundation.com.

The foundation was created in 2013 and primarily benefits CASA (court appointed special advocates) and Voices for CASA of Maricopa County.

CASA helps children involved in the court system as a result of abuse or neglect by their families.