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One of the initial tasks for first-year Arizona Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur is figuring out who the team’s starting quarterback will be now that the post-Kyler Murray era has arrived.
The answer may not come soon.
Veteran Jacoby Brissett — who started the final 12 games last season — was the early favorite to win the role, but did not practice with the team in the offseason because he is unhappy with his contract situation. However, he took part in Thursday’s training in a signal that a new deal could be close.
Brissett appears to be in a three-way battle with veteran Gardner Minshew and rookie Carson Beck for the starting job, but LaFleur offered no clues about the depth chart when asked to describe the competition.
“I would describe it as practice one on July 23rd,” LaFleur said.
The 33-year-old Brissett is in the final year of a $12.5 million, two-year deal, though only $1.5 million is guaranteed. If he remains the starter, he would be among the league’s lowest-paid quarterbacks.
Brissett had good individual stats last season with 3,366 yards passing, 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions, but the Cardinals went 1-11 in his starts. The Cardinals finished last in the NFC West at 3-14.
Safety Budda Baker made his feelings known about Brissett’s situation on social media earlier this month, writing, “Just want bro to get his (expletive) done… he’s not asking for what you think. Bro is asking for below the bare minimum. Let’s just get it done!!!”
(Photo: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Baker stood by his statement Thursday.
“I definitely think Jacoby did a good job coming in last year,” Baker said. “I know we didn’t get the wins that we wanted to get, but I think he controlled the attack at a high level.”
Johnson and sweat on the puppy list
Starting left tackle Paris Johnson (knee) and star edge rusher Josh Sweat (knee) opened camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
LaFleur said he wasn’t concerned about the long-term prognosis for either player.
“The Paris thing, it’s really, honestly, nothing. We’re all on the same page, it’s just maintenance stuff really, so he’ll be back before you know it,” LaFleur said. “Same with Josh. Seeing him yesterday, he’s been dying to be here. He was in good spirits and looked really good.”
Johnson and Sweat won’t practice, but they still count toward the 90-man training camp limit. They are cleared to attend meetings and can return to practice at any point during the preseason.
Johnson enters his fourth season as a starter, while Sweat had a career-high 12 sacks last season.
The other two on the PUP list — cornerback Garrett Williams (Achilles tendon) and Tip Reiman (ankle) — are still recovering from serious injuries that occurred last season.
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Off-field issues percolate
LaFleur’s first training camp — including the quarterback game — has been overshadowed by off-field issues over the past few weeks.
The NFL suspended Cardinals personnel director Ryan Gold indefinitely on July 17 for violating the league’s gambling policy. The league said its investigation determined Gold provided confidential, non-public inside information on 2026 draft picks by the Cardinals before the picks were announced, and Gold also engaged in parlay betting on NFL and college games.
Gold is in his 13th season with the organization.
Recently, Cardinals offensive lineman Isaiah Adams was arrested in Canada on four weapons charges. Adams, a third-year player competing for a starting spot, was in camp Thursday.
The 25-year-old was charged with possession of a firearm obtained by a crime, possession of a restricted/prohibited firearm, no license while in possession of a loaded firearm and possession of a prohibited device. Adams’ attorney, Adam Weisberg, said in a statement that Adams is “completely innocent in this case.”
“He’s doing well,” LaFleur said of Adams. “I’m not going to comment too much on that of course … but he’s fine and it’s good to see him.”
Report from the Associated Press.
