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One of first-year Arizona Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur’s initial tasks is to figure out who will be the team’s starting quarterback now that the post-Kyler Murray era has arrived.
The answer may not come soon.
Veteran Jacoby Brissett, who started the final 12 games of last season, was the initial favorite to land the job, but he did not practice with the team during the offseason because he is unhappy with his contract situation. However, he participated in training on Thursday in a sign that a new deal could be near.
Brissett appears to be in a three-man battle with veteran Gardner Minshew and rookie Carson Beck for the starting job, but LaFleur didn’t give any hints about the depth chart when asked to describe the competition.
“I would describe it as the first practice on July 23,” LaFleur said.
Brissett, 33, is in the final year of a two-year, $12.5 million contract, although only $1.5 million is guaranteed. If he remains a starter, he would be among the lowest-paid quarterbacks in the league.
Brissett had good individual stats last season with 3,366 passing yards, 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 about the Brissett situation known on social media earlier this month, posting: “I just want my brother to finish his (expletive)… he’s not asking for what you think. Brother is asking for below the bare minimum. Let’s do it!!!”
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Baker stood by his statement from Thursday.
“I definitely think Jacoby did a great job coming in last year,” Baker said. “I know we didn’t get the wins we wanted, but I think he led the offense at a high level.”
Johnson and Sweat on the puppy list
Starting left tackle Paris Johnson (knee) and star running back Josh Sweat (knee) opened camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
LaFleur said he wasn’t worried about the long-term prognosis of either player.
“The Paris thing, honestly, it’s nothing. We’re all on the same page, it’s really just maintenance issues, so it’ll be back before you know it,” LaFleur said. “Same goes for Josh. Seeing him yesterday, he’s excited to be here. He was in a great mood and looked great.”
Johnson and Sweat will not practice, but still count toward the 90-man training camp roster limit. They are allowed to attend meetings and can return to practice at any time during the preseason.
Johnson is entering 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) and Tip Reiman (ankle), are still recovering from serious injuries that occurred last season.
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Off-field problems leak
LaFleur’s first training camp, including the quarterback battle, has been overshadowed by off-field issues in recent weeks.
The NFL suspended Cardinals personnel executive Ryan Gold indefinitely on July 17 for violating the league’s betting policy. The league said its investigation determined that Gold provided confidential, non-public insider information about the Cardinals’ 2026 draft picks 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.
Most recently, Cardinals offensive lineman Isaiah Adams was arrested in Canada on four counts of weapons possession. Adams, a third-year player competing for a starting job, was in camp Thursday.
The 25-year-old was charged with possession of a firearm obtained by crime, possession of a restricted/prohibited firearm, no license 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 matter.”
“He’s doing well,” LaFleur said of Adams. “I’m not going to comment too much on that, obviously… but he’s doing well and it’s good to see.”
Associated Press information.
