The long-predicted signing of Drew Stanton on Wednesday gives new Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians another option in what’s become a very crowded group of quarterbacks.

Stanton, who signed a three-year, $8.2 million contract according to his agent, worked with Arians as the Colts’ backup quarterback behind Andrew Luck. He did not take a regular-season snap in 2012, but does come to Arizona with a complete knowledge of the offensive system used by Arians as the Colts’ offensive coordinator and interim head coach.

Stanton joins four other quarterbacks on the Cardinals roster: restricted free agent Brian Hoyer, Kevin Kolb, John Skelton and Ryan Lindley.

One or more of the Cardinals quarterbacks could be released, including the high-priced Kolb who is scheduled to be paid a $2 million roster bonus and a $9 million base salary in 2013.

The question remains: Will the Cardinals, owners of the seventh overall pick in the NFL Draft, still opt to take a quarterback such as Matt Barkley, who impressed them during the NFL Combine?

Thrilled for QB @drewstanton to sign a 3 year deal with the @AZCardinals—
Mike McCartney (@MikeMcCartney7) March 13, 2013

QB Drew Stanton to the #Cardinals, per his agent. Doesn't completely take them out of QB running in Rd1, but a factor for sure.—
Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) March 13, 2013

Stanton signs 3-year deal. interesting to see what happens with Kolb now. likely gone?—
Kent Somers (@kentsomers) March 13, 2013

Drew Stanton was adamant from the start that he didn’t want to stay in New York with Tim Tebow there to usurp his role as the Jets’ backup quarterback. Now it appears he’s gotten his wish — the Jets have announced that they’ve traded Stanton to the Indianapolis Colts.

#RL The Jets have announced they have traded QB Drew Stanton to the Indianapolis Colts. Terms of the trade were undisclosed.

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New York Jets (@nyjets) March 23, 2012

Ironically, it was the Colts who initiated this quarterback carousel — the Jets cut loose Peyton Manning to make room for likely No. 1 draft pick Andrew Luck, the Denver Broncos picked up Manning and dealt Tebow, and the Jets acquired Tebow only to ship out Stanton. It’s an upgrade for Stanton — rather than play third-string QB behind Mark Sanchez and Tebow, he’ll likely be the No. 2 option in Indianapolis after Luck (or, possibly, Robert Griffin III).

Stanton’s time with the Jets was very short-lived — the 27-year-old Michigan State alum just signed a week ago, signing a one-year, $1.25 million deal with a $500,000 signing bonus last Friday. He previously spent four seasons with the Detroit Lions.

Stanton was the Lions’ second-round pick in the 2007 draft. He’s made only four career starts under center, throwing for 1,158 yards, five touchdowns and nine interceptions.

When quarterback Drew Stanton signed with the New York Jets last week, he did so assuming he’d be solidly entrenched as the No. 2 quarterback on Rex Ryan’s depth chart. Now, with the Jets’ trade yesterday to land Tim Tebow, that’s clearly no longer the case, and Stanton has responded. Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports that the QB would like to be released or traded.

After spending four seasons with the Detroit Lions, Stanton agreed last Friday to sign a one-year, $1.25 million deal with a $500,000 signing bonus. The 27-year-old was given the understanding he’d be the sole backup for Mark Sanchez, replacing former Jet Mark Brunell. Now Tebow’s arrival has thrown everything out of whack.

Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum announced last night that Tebow is now Sanchez’s primary backup, adding that there’s no decision yet on the future of Stanton or Greg McElroy. The team hasn’t ruled out the possibility of carrying all four quarterbacks on the roster.

Stanton is a former Michigan State Spartan, and the Lions’ second-round pick in the 2007 draft. He’s made four career starts, and he’s 104-for-187 lifetime for 1,158 yards, five touchdowns and nine interceptions.

“I’m extremely excited to get an opportunity to come to an organization like this,” Stanton said last week when the Jets first signed him. “Everybody from top to bottom has impressed me. I just think everything in general is first-class.”

The New York Jets finally have themselves a backup quarterback — former Detroit Lion Drew Stanton has signed a one-year contract to join the green team, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN New York.

The Jets were planning earlier today on meeting with Denver Broncos backup Brady Quinn, but that plan was mixed late today as the Jets signed Stanton instead, locking him down for one year and $1.25 million. Stanton becomes the backup for Mark Sanchez, who himself just signed a three-year, $40 million contract extension last week.

“The nice thing is, we’re all going to be learning Tony Sparano’s offense together,” Stanton said, referring to the Jets’ new offensive coordinator. “My goal is to help Mark produce on the field and to help this organization win football games.”

Stanton spent all of last season in the bench in Detroit; he hasn’t attempted a pass since 2010. He’s thrown for 1,158 yards, five touchdowns and nine interceptions total in his four-year career.