Josh WeinfussApr 2, 2026, 11:00 AM
Close
Open Extended Reactions
PHOENIX -- Whether the Arizona Cardinals add another player to their already fully stocked quarterback room, either through this month's draft or a free agent signing -- which new coach Mike LaFleur has said is a possibility -- LaFleur is beginning his tenure in Arizona with Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew as his top QBs.
And he's satisfied with that.
"We like where we're at right now," LaFleur said.
While each brings a different skill set, LaFleur believes both can run his West Coast-style offense despite him not having worked with either in the NFL.
Best of NFL Nation
• Titans' Saleh open to drafting a pass rusher
• UFL Week 1 power rankings
• Why Colts owners are out on private equity
• Who will be next first-round tight end?
• How the Maxx Crosby trade fell apart
Brissett looks the part of the prototypical quarterback, LaFleur said. He's a 6-foot-4, 235-pound pocket passer who led the NFL in completions, attempts, dropbacks and action plays after taking over in Week 6. LaFleur told Brissett that, for years, he has believed Brissett would be a good fit for his scheme because of his stature, his ability in the play-action game and his capacity to get the ball out when he's in trouble.
"Just a big, big dude playing in the pocket," LaFleur said. "He's got the arm strength, obviously throw it down the field, work the intermediate game that you like within this system. But also, 'Hey, it's falling apart, boom, I can dump it down.'"
And in Minshew, LaFleur has a 6-1 quarterback who's more comfortable on the move.
"I've always really appreciated his game because obviously he's not as big as Jacoby, but he can move around with his feet and get himself out of the pocket," LaFleur said. "He loves ball. I mean, the day we signed him, he wanted all the information already."
That didn't surprise LaFleur.
Leading into the 2019 Senior Bowl, where LaFleur was coaching as part of the San Francisco 49ers' staff, Minshew FaceTimed LaFleur for hours a few days before their trip to Mobile, Alabama, to go over the playbook. Minshew, who was coming out of Washington State, just wanted to be ahead of the curve when he stepped foot in front of NFL personnel.
"That's just who he is," LaFleur said. "That's just how he's wired and that's why he's had success in this league and why he's put in so many years."
On the other hand, LaFleur said Brissett hasn't asked to start working on the offense to get ahead, which LaFleur chalked up to his experience in the NFL.
Jacoby Brissett had 23 touchdown passes and eight interceptions in 14 games last season. Mike Christy/Getty Images
"I think what's good is he's been around this league," LaFleur said.
LaFleur said Brissett has an understanding of the team putting together the staff and the rest of the roster through free agency and the draft process.
LaFleur also emphasized "this isn't the Rams, the Niners, the Packers, this is us."
"So, we tore this thing down and we have our foundational pieces that we're going to do schematically," he said, "but we started from scratch and I wanted to hear people's opinions and we left no stone unturned when it came to cadence, our formations, how we're calling our formations, all the ways we're going to operate before the ball's even snapped. And then, oh yeah, we got to have a plethora of plays as well, both in the run game, pass game, protection. So, I mean, we're still working on that.
"I feel really good with where we're at. We got the bulk of it in, but that's not going to end. And I think Jacoby understands that like, 'Hey, we don't need to rush this process.' There is plenty of times, especially for guys that ... you're not teaching Jacoby how to play football. Jacoby knows how to play football. Now, we're just going to be teaching them our system and how we do things and our terminology."
Though Brissett and Minshew look and play differently, they share one trait that has LaFleur believing each can be the Cardinals' quarterback: experience.
Minshew is on his sixth team and is entering his seventh season with 47 starts in 63 career games. Brissett is also on his sixth team but is entering his 11th season with 65 starts in 101 career games.
"You got a lot of guys that played a lot of football," LaFleur said.
"All these quarterbacks, I don't care who it is, they've all had ups and downs, and I think they're all stronger because of that. If they're made of the right stuff, and I know the two that we're talking about right now, the guys on our team, are made of the right stuff and that's why I'm looking forward to working with them."