標籤: Cardinals

There are 32 teams in the NFL, and the Arizona Cardinals are expected to be one of the worst teams in the league. That’s the expectation moving forward after going 3-14 last season, finishing in fourth place in the NFC West, hiring a first-year head coach and with a veteran journeyman starting quarterback like Jacoby Brissett.

The Cardinals’ voluntary organized team activities began on May 18, but they were missing a key member of the roster, former Pro Bowl pass-rusher Josh Sweat. As mentioned, these workouts are completely voluntary, so there is no punishment for players who do not participate.

According to John Gambadoro of 98.7 FM Phoenix, Sweat was not injured. Then, Cardinals insider Kyle Odegaard added fuel to the fire by revealing that Sweat “isn’t particularly happy in AZ.”

The 29-year-old Sweat recorded a career-high 12 sacks and four forced fumbles last season. This was his first season in Arizona after signing a four-year, $76.5 million contract with the Cardinals in free agency after helping the Philadelphia Eagles win Super Bowl LIX.

Nevertheless, Sweat signed when the Cardinals were coached by defensive-minded Jonathan Gannon. While the Cardinals are now led by the offensive mind of first-year coach Mike LaFleur, not much should change for Sweat, who will still play for defensive coordinator Nick Rallis for the second consecutive season.

Perhaps Sweat wants a raise after dominating individually to protect the bottom line. Sweat’s contract has him ranking 21st in annual average salary among edge rushers, but he performed at an elite level last season. His $16.3 million cap hit in 2025 is more than reasonable for the type of production Sweat is producing.

Perhaps he feels like Arizona is in no position to compete, and he wants to join a contender, no matter what that is; Sweat is trying to send a message.

RELATED: 2026 NFL QB rankings after Aaron Rodgers rejoins the Steelers

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While things could certainly change, the Arizona Cardinals are set to enter training camp with low expectations. No one would have predicted they would reach the playoffs in a crowded NFC West divisional field in Mike LaFleur’s first season as head coach.

It also doesn’t help that the Cardinals don’t have a clear starting quarterback on the roster. For now, the expectation is that veteran journeyman Jacoby Brissett will take over the starting duties. But his relationship with the Cardinals has soured after leaving minicamp in search of a pay raise.

Behind Brissett, the Cardinals have free agent signee Gardner Minshew and third-round rookie Carson Beck. Still, recent rumors have linked the Cardinals to another free agent quarterback, albeit one that is much more accomplished. However, Cardinals fans shouldn’t get their hopes too high.

There is no truth, “at all,” to rumors of Aaron Rodgers eyeing a contract to play in Arizona, according to ESPN Cardinals insider Josh Weinfuss.

Thus, the Cardinals appear prepared with their QB room. Meanwhile, for Rodgers, the options appear to be either playing one more season with the Pittsburgh Steelers or enjoying retirement. Even though he is taking his sweet time, everyone expects him to play another season, but it won’t be with the Cardinals.

RELATED: Arizona Cardinals player recruiting future Hall of Famer to join team

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Entering the 2026 NFL season, many expect the Arizona Cardinals to be one of the worst teams in football. Not having a defined starting quarterback doesn’t help.

The team’s likely starter Jacoby Brissett recently left minicamp in search of a pay raise. The Cardinals are standing by their position so far, meaning Brissett’s $9.1 million cap hit can remain intact for the final year of his contract, the 2026 season.

The Cardinals also signed Gardner Minshew, who is expected to be Brissett’s backup. However, the Cardinals also added Carson Beck of Miami (FL) in the third round. They also have former undrafted free agent signee Kedon Slovis.

Still, the Cardinals may not be completely satisfied with their QB room. Some people, including players on the team, may still be hoping to see another addition at QB.

Recently, Cardinals wide receiver Kendrick Bourne took to social media to recruit future Hall of Fame QB Aaron Rodgers to Arizona for the upcoming season.

“@AaronRodgers come we are waiting for you.”

Bourne ended the post with eye emojis and a smiley face. Whether it means he is joking is unknown.

Still, it’s not hard to imagine that Bourne was legitimately trying to recruit four-time NFL MVP Rodgers to the Cardinals. The issue is, does Rodgers really want to join a team that is fully prepared for a rebuilding season? Not signing Rodgers could also set the Cardinals up for 2026.

RELATED: Ranking the 2026 NFL rookie offensive candidates

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

The Arizona Cardinals delivered the first mini-surprise of the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting Notre Dame star running back Jeremiah Love with the third overall pick in the first round. While love can help overcome crime without recognition, it also means James Connor’s days in Arizona are numbered.

Now that Love is the undisputed RB1 in Arizona, let’s evaluate some potential trade destinations for Connor, who is a two-time Pro Bowler and has a pair of 1,000-yard seasons to his name.

los angeles chargers

The Chargers believe they have their RB of the future in last year’s first-round selection Omarion Hampton. They also brought in a fast bowler in the form of Keaton Mitchell. Still, a Harbaugh team can never have enough running backs, and Connor is a proven bruiser who is one of the NFL’s toughest players. It will fit perfectly with the bolt.

jacksonville jaguars

The Jaguars let Travis Etienne sign with the Saints this offseason, and 2025 fourth-round pick Fearshul Tuten may not be ready for a major role. Hopefully the Jaguars add a RB in the next two days, but if not, why not consider trading a draft pick on day three for a proven stopgap like Connor? He is just a year removed from a 1,094-yard, 8 TD season. At the very least, it will buy the Jaguars longer to find a long-term solution.

las vegas raiders

Ashton Jeanty is the future of the Raiders. Still, after a tough rookie season, Las Vegas likely wants to boost the competition in their RB room. Jeanty will undoubtedly still be the starter, but having a veteran like Connor, who has had to work tirelessly to earn and keep his role, could be invaluable to a young athlete like Jeanty.

RELATED: Las Vegas Raiders Final 7-Round Mock Draft

dallas cowboys

Javonte Williams is the Cowboys’ lead back after a 1,200-yard season. But after that? There are some deep questions in Dallas. The Cowboys have four other guys on the roster, clearly trying to find a reliable backup and potentially a future RB1. Connor won’t be the RB1 of the future, but he will erase any doubt about the Cowboys having enough stuff to get the job done in the RB room.

RELATED: Final 2026 NFL mock draft: Projecting Round 1 with trades

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

At No. 3 in the NFL Draft, the assumption is that the Arizona Cardinals will take the best player available or address a major need. However, a new report suggests that bringing in a player who can increase revenues and improve brand identity may be a priority.

The Cardinals are one of the most interesting teams heading into this week’s NFL Draft. By having the third pick, they have the opportunity to bring in a player who can be a game-changer and be a core member of the roster for years to come. Players like Texas Tech’s David Bailey, Ohio State’s Arvel Reese and Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Love have been linked to the card at No. 3.

However, a case can be made that after a 3-14 season and firing their head coach, Arizona has a lot of problems and should trade up in Round 1 to acquire more picks this year and/or next year. That’s why he’s been linked to various trade rumors over the past few weeks.

Is Jeremiah Love an ideal pick for the Arizona Cardinals?

But the school of thought guiding the team’s draft plans this year may be different, especially with that option in Round 1: making more money. on Wednesday’s edition of ESPN RiseNFL insider Adam Schefter said that if they don’t trade up from No. 3 after years of going defense-first, they need to make a spectacular move that can create a spark, excitement and energy. That’s why they feel Love will be the player they choose.

Fellow NFL insider Peter Schrager then chimed in that the Cardinals were at the bottom of the league in merchandise and ticket sales. And after bringing in a new head coach in Mike LaFleur this offseason, it feels like 2026 will be a “fresh” start for the franchise.

Then, when NFL analyst Jason McCourty was asked what the best scenario would be for the Cardinals, he said, “Get your Jeremiah Love jerseys ready” because of the marketability of the talented running back.

For many NFL Draft evaluators, Love is the best player in this year’s class due to his great running skills and ability to make plays in the passing game. However, it is rare to see a running back reach such heights in the current NFL. But Love appears to be an exception because of his talent and what he could do for the Cardinals brand.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

After months of intense debate and evaluation of players, the Arizona Cardinals are finally ready to use the third overall selection on who they hope can become a franchise cornerstone. Of course, Cardinals general manager Monty Ossenfort could find a trade offer too good to refuse, allowing Arizona to add to their draft capital while still getting a prospect they like a lot.

Still, the Cardinals themselves may not yet know what they’ll be doing on draft day. Like most other teams, the Cardinals’ plans may depend on how the draft board goes past them, with the Jets selecting at No. 2, and rumor that they are targeting a pass-rusher.

According to NFL insider Tony Pauline of Essential Sports, the Cardinals’ GM “wants” Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey. If he is no longer available, the Cardinals front office will “try hard” to trade up in the first round.

Pauline wrote, “The Cardinals, especially general manager Monty Ossenfort, want David Bailey.” “If he’s not available, Arizona will work hard to move the selection up. They could potentially move the selection up before the draft starts. If Bailey is unavailable and they can’t move up the selection, I’m told it’s unlikely they select Arvel Reese, as they view him as a hybrid defender versus a pure edge rusher, and the Cardinals have bombed out on hybrid selections in the past.”

The Cardinals have attempted to draft guys who have no natural home in the NFL, such as eight-year-old Isaiah Simmons in 2020 and 16-year-old Zavon Collins in 2021. Neither one has lived up to their potential, and the fear is that Reese won’t either.

However, Ossenfort wasn’t even with the Cardinals in 2020 or 2021, meaning he had nothing to do with the Cardinals’ previous draft misses. One would think this shouldn’t impact how the Cardinals pursue draft prospects, but unless Pauline’s report is a smokescreen, Arizona doesn’t appear to be too impressed with Reese, leaving us to wonder how far Ohio State could fall on hybrid draft day.

RELATED: Arizona Cardinals target elite position on 3+ trade in late first round

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After months of evaluation and debate, the 2026 NFL Draft will finally begin with the first round of the event on April 23. The Arizona Cardinals have the third overall pick in the first round, and there is a lot of mystery over what direction general manager Monty Ossenfort is going with.

The Cardinals could take an offensive tackle, but with Paris Johnson solidified on the left side, selecting a right tackle looks like going No. 3. The pass-rusher needs to be in the game, but the Cardinals are already committed to a $76 million contract with Josh Sweat, though he could certainly use help on the other side.

Meanwhile, there has also been talk of the Cardinals being open to a trade in the fall, where they would have a great opportunity to address multiple needs for a team with no identity, or even a starting quarterback for 2026.

According to NFL insider Tony Pauline of Essential Sports, the Cardinals “want an edge rusher with the third pick, which will likely mean David Bailey if he goes ahead of the Jets.” Poulin adds that “Ossenfort will consider moving to the bottom of Round 1 and drafting quarterback Ty Simpson if the opportunity arises.”

Simpson being selected in the first round will come as a draft day surprise, but it’s not too far off from his projections as a second-round selection. Additionally, QBs are often selected ahead of projections, and in a year where Simpson may be viewed as the only other starting-caliber option as a rookie outside of Fernando Mendoza, it makes sense for the Cardinals to make sure they get their guy.

For now, the Cardinals have seven draft selections, one in each round. This includes No. 3, No. 32, and No. 65. Chances are, at least one of those picks will be used on a QB, and it won’t be No. 3.

RELATED: The Kansas City Chiefs are working on a big trade in the 2026 NFL Draft

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

The 2026 NFL Draft is exactly one week away, and the picture is starting to come into focus ahead of the Arizona Cardinals’ first-round selection. Expectations are the Las Vegas Raiders will take quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick. The New York Jets will select a pass-rusher, possibly Texas Tech’s David Bailey or Ohio State’s freak linebacker/edge rusher Arvel Reese.

But what about the Cardinals at No. 3? This remains the biggest mystery. While NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports that a trade down for Arizona is “very much in play”, others suggest the Cardinals have a surprise selection in mind.

Recently, SNY’s Connor Hughes reported that we “shouldn’t be surprised” if the Cardinals select Notre Dame running back Jeremiah Love with the third overall selection in the first round.

The Cardinals’ selection of Love came as a shock when they brought back James Conner and signed Tyler Allger to a $12.5 million contract this offseason. Of course, Love has a higher ceiling than either of these two, but Arizona also has other, more pressing needs such as an offensive tackle or even a pass-rusher.

Still, if the Cardinals are sticking to the best player available mantra, it’s hard to argue against the selection of Love. Many consider him the best overall player in the draft class, and Arizona could inject talent on both sides of the ball.

RELATED: 2026 NFL mock draft: Trades that captured the first round of the NFL draft

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

Heading into the offseason, rumors of the Arizona Cardinals were rampant that they were planning to move on from Kyler Murray. While the Cardinals were certainly hoping a trade would come to fruition, the situation was already over. No one was going to make a deal for a player who was expected to be released.

Of course, the Cardinals eventually bit the bullet and turned their franchise quarterback loose. But with new head coach Mike LaFleur taking over, there was a significant vacancy at the game’s most important position. Now, the question is, who will the Cardinals make their next starting QB?

Jacoby Brissett is having a career year, but LaFleur is not. Did the 33-year-old Brissett uncover something special in his 10th season playing? It’s possible, but the Cardinals still went just 1-11 under his leadership.

As a result of Murray’s release, the Cardinals also signed another QB, Gardner Minshew, who is a one-time Pro Bowler, but is also 29 years old and only attempted 13 passes last season. Still, Minshew clearly wasn’t the Cardinals’ first choice this offseason.

The Cardinals were reportedly interested in signing two-time Super Bowl winner (as a backup) Jimmy Garoppolo. Still, Florio reports that negotiations between the Cardinals and Garoppolo “have hit a wall.” This led them to sign Minshew to an affordable one-year contract worth up to $5.75 million.

Still, despite the Cardinals moving forward, Florio says that “it’s still possible that Garoppolo could replace Brissett in Arizona”. Of course, with Garoppolo still unsigned in free agency, that option remains open, especially if he prefers the opportunity to start.

Otherwise, the best option for Jimmy G may be to return to the Rams, where he has spent the last two seasons as the primary backup to Matthew Stafford. However, Garoppolo is familiar with the Cardinals’ new head coach, having been their offensive coordinator for the past two seasons in Los Angeles.

Perhaps their relationship could help restart contract negotiations, but the Cardinals may be eyeing a young option to add to their depth chart rather than a trio of veterans with limited upside.

RELATED: Predicting landing spots for the 5 best NFL quarterbacks available

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

The Arizona Cardinals are one of the most interesting teams with the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, holding the third overall selection with pressing needs at key positions. However, efforts are reportedly being made inside the front office to make some surprise picks.

on the latest episode of The McShay ShowNFL Draft analyst Todd McShay said, “Someone in the Cardinals building is working really, really hard” for the team to select running back the Notre Dame Fighting Irish with the third overall pick.

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Note, according to McShay, this is someone who has some hold on the Cardinals organization and has some influence on what will be done with the No. 3 pick. However, Arizona is still keeping their options open, and that includes the possibility of trading up to multiple spots and then selecting Love.

Why wouldn’t the Cardinals possibly draft Jeremiah Love?

Drafting Love with the third overall pick would be a bit of an odd decision considering the Cardinals’ offseason moves. Arizona signed running back Tyler Allger to a two-year, $12.25 million deal, re-signed Bam Knight, and worked out a deal to retain James Conner.

There’s one more thing to keep in mind that will make selecting Love with the third overall pick a little difficult. Under the NFL’s rookie salary scale, drafting Love with a top-three pick would lock him into a contract that would effectively make him one of the 10 highest-paid running backs in the NFL.

On the other hand, selecting an edge rusher or offensive tackle at No. 3 overall would mean they would have to sign a rookie-scale contract that is valued outside the top 20 at the position. This shows how much more valuable offensive tackles and edge rushers are than running backs.

Of course, many NFL teams view Love as the best prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. If Arizona doesn’t take him third overall, the Tennessee Titans (fourth overall pick), New York Giants (fifth overall pick), and Washington Commanders (seventh overall pick) are viable options for him as landing spots.

Ultimately, given the investment already made this offseason and the team’s obvious needs at both an edge rusher and right tackle, we would be surprised if the Cardinals end up using their top selection on Love.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

The Detroit Tigers are back at Comerica Park and it was an amazing day of baseball. The Tigers won their home opener in 2026 by defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 4–0. It was an excellent pitching performance from starting pitcher Framber Valdez.

Detroit opened the scoring with a 433-foot two-run home run by starting catcher Dillon Dingler in the fourth inning. Through seven games, Dingler is the only Detroit hitter with a home run, marking his second of the 2026 MLB season. Then, Riley Green hit an RBI-single in the fifth inning, followed by another single by Javier Báez in the sixth inning.

After being defeated by the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday, the Tigers’ offense bounced back in their home opener at Comerica Park. There were other opportunities for runs, as Kevin McGonigle and Kerry Carpenter hit two balls deep into the outfield during the first inning.

Meanwhile, Valdez went scoreless six with three hits, two walks and five strikeouts. The 32-year-old starter became the first pitcher since Spencer Turnbull in 2019 to throw a quality start in a home opener. Valdez is the first pitcher since Jordan Zimmerman in 2016 to do so in both the home opener and his home debut for the Tigers.

There were other milestones, such as Green’s 500th career MLB hit, becoming the 20th player in franchise history to accomplish the feat before age 26. It was a much-needed change of pace for the Tigers after being defeated by the Diamondbacks.

In fact, the Tigers had the biggest crown for a home opener at Comerica Park since 2017. Fans were given a picture-perfect day en route to their first home win of 2026.

READ MORE: MLB Insider shares update on Tarik Skubal’s future with Detroit Tigers

Austin Konensky is a sports writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and college football. His work…More about Austin Konensky

A top NFL Draft expert just offered a quarterback who could be a late steal for teams like the New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals next month.

Like every other year, many teams would love to find a potential franchise QB in April’s NFL Draft. Unfortunately, this year’s QB class is weak. The Las Vegas Raiders are set to use the No. 1 overall pick on Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. After the Heisman Trophy winner, Alabama’s Ty Simpson is the next best QB on the board, and it’s debatable whether he’ll even go in Round 1.

That’s why many teams have been aggressive in acquiring veteran options that have become available over the past few weeks. However, teams like the NY Jets, Steelers, and Cardinals have situations where they need to consider using the pick on the signal-caller. But in a year with a heavy QB class, which player should they take and when?

Should the NY Jets or Steelers target Cole Payton in the NFL Draft?

Well, this week, veteran draft expert Todd McShay offered a low-cost, high-profit alternative. In a new social media post, he suggested that North Dakota State star Cole Payton is the lowest-rated QB in the entire draft.

“In conversations with NFL GMs, this is a one-of-a-kind guy,” he said, praising his timing and accurate passing. Additionally, he has a high ability to extend the play and make accurate throws under pressure. He added, “There’s a lot of unused stuff here.”

Former first-round picks Carson Wentz and Trey Lance are NDS alumni, and McShay believes Payton is the best QB prospect ever drafted by the university. The fifth-year senior had a career year in 2025, throwing for 2,719 yards and hitting 72% of his 225 passes. He also rushed for 777 yards and scored 29 total touchdowns.

Payton is expected to be a Day 3 pick and could fall as far as Round 7. He could be an interesting option for the NY Jets, Steelers and Cardinals as a project to develop this year.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Several top free agents have already signed new contracts this offseason. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t still other good deals to be found. The Arizona Cardinals may have just found one.

The Cardinals agreed to terms on a one-year, $2.5 million contract with wide receiver/return specialist Devin DuVernay on Sunday, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. An All-Pro as a returner, DuVernay has bounced back the past few seasons, but he spent 20–25 with the Bears, where he caught two of his five targets for 26 yards and one down. He was much more impressive as a returner.

DuVernay returned 21 punts for 231 yards. As a kick returner, DuVernay returned 40 opportunities for a new career-high 1,069 yards in 2025. His 26.7 yards per kick return average ranked 11th in the NFL, and he was fifth in kick return yards.

Now 28, the two-time Pro Bowler doesn’t have an All-Pro or Pro Bowl season until 2022. Nevertheless, he is clearly still a big factor in the return game, and he will look to continue that success in Arizona next season.

After being drafted as the 92nd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, DuVernay spent the first four seasons of his career with the Ravens. He plays for the Jaguars in 2024, the Bears in 2025, and then the Cardinals.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Mock Draft After NFL Free Agency Negotiation Window

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

On Wednesday, when the NFL’s new league year begins at 4 p.m. ET, the Arizona Cardinals are expected to officially release Kyler Murray from their roster. He will be free to choose his next team of his choice, leaving Arizona with a depth chart that includes Jacoby Brissett and newly signed Gardner Minshew III.

Certainly, this is not a satisfactory group. Some NFL insiders believe more QB moves are coming to Arizona, possibly even a trade involving Brissett to capitalize on a career year.

Meanwhile, others, like, believe the Cardinals could be positioning themselves to pursue Kirk Cousins ​​in free agency.

Florio makes a good point connecting the dots between Cardinals first-year head coach Mike LaFleur and Cousins’ previous coaches like Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay. Cousins ​​was coached by Shanahan and McVay in Washington and by Kevin O’Connell in Minnesota, who like LaFleur also comes from the McVay tree.

In other words, Cousins ​​should take a leading role in mastering Arizona’s new offense. Having a chip on his shoulder from not only being pushed out of Atlanta but also going up against his former coaches could be a positive development for Cousins ​​as well.

Plus, if the QB chairs continue to move this way leaving him without a starting job, moving his family to Arizona will start looking better and better by the hour. For a Cardinals team looking to find its footing quickly, Cousins ​​could help speed up the process, even if he isn’t a long-term solution.

RELATED: NFL Free Agency Day 1: The biggest winners and losers

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

A new NFL Draft rumor suggests the Arizona Cardinals have a specific prospect in mind to replace Kyler Murray this offseason.

When the Cardinals used the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft on Murray, there was real hope that he could be the franchise quarterback they have been lacking for decades. After his first three seasons in the league, it seemed like he was the pick as Murray earned Pro Bowl honors in 2020 and 2021.

However, in the four seasons since, Murray has regressed. Part of that is due to injuries. However, when he has been on the field, he has not been as effective as he was early in his career. Things came to a head in 2025, and after the season ended rumors swirled that Murray’s time in Arizona would soon be coming to an end.

Earlier this week, that rumor became reality when the Cardinals reportedly informed the 28-year-old that they plan to release him when the new league year starts next week. Now, the team needs to figure out what they will do at the QB spot in 2026. However, while they have the No. 3 pick in next month’s draft, the top signal caller in this year’s class, Fernando Mendoza, will be off the board before the AZ gets on the clock.

The next best QB this year is Alabama QB Ty Simpson. However, most draft evaluators believe he is the best selection in the middle of the first round. However, a new report suggests that the team may still attempt to land the Crimson Tide QB as a replacement for Murray.

AZ Cardinals considering Round 1 return for Ty Simpson

This week, NFL insider Todd McShay reported that after the Los Angeles Rams gave up their pick at 29 in a trade for Trent McDuffie, it removed a potential suitor for Simpson. Additionally, he says the Cleveland Browns are unlikely to use the sixth overall pick on the Alabama star, but could select him with their second pick at 24.

However, he claims sources have informed him that the AZ Cardinals are considering trading back up in Round 1 if Simpson is still available late in the round.

While Simpson slumped at the end of last season, there are many talent evaluators, including McShay, who believe his first nine games in 2025 were better than Mendoza, the projected No. 1 pick. And he was hampered by gastritis and poor offensive line play in Alabama’s final game of the season.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

The St. Louis Cardinals showed with a new stadium deal that they care more about the fan experience at their games than the New York Yankees or Los Angeles Dodgers ever will.

Payroll and player salaries have spiraled out of control in MLB over the past six years. That is why there is speculation that there could be a lockout after the 2026 season. Still, when teams spend huge sums of money to build their rosters to win games, it’s the fans who really pay the price.

While salaries have increased drastically this decade, the price of tickets to see some of the most popular teams in baseball has also increased. Teams like the LA Dodgers ($177), NY Yankees ($105), Houston Astros ($133), Boston Red Sox ($132), and Chicago Cubs ($108) had the most expensive average ticket prices last season.

Still, one beloved franchise that often tries to avoid assessing value to its fans is the Cardinals. Last year, the average price to see a game at Busch Stadium was $88 – the 16th highest price in the league. With the franchise rebuilding, they clearly didn’t consider raising prices this year.

However, they have gone even further to make the fan experience more entertaining for fans during a difficult season.

Cardinals are offering $29 unlimited concession deal in 2026

This year, the Cardinals will offer a unique concession deal. For just $29, a fan can get unlimited Coke beverage products, unlimited hot dogs, unlimited peanuts, unlimited bratwursts, unlimited nachos, unlimited fries, unlimited chips, and unlimited other options. Of course, this doesn’t include the ticket price.

However, if you’re trying to bring a family to a game and keep everyone happy with some enjoyable food, it can get pretty pricey at an MLB ballpark. However, if you go to a Cardinals game this season you can load up a family of four for about $120. Additionally, there are several games this season where you can find seats in the $50 range.

While it won’t make the game on the field any better, the Cardinals are trying to do something to make ball games at Busch Stadium more enjoyable for families. It’s a deal that the LA Dodgers, NY Yankees and many other big-market clubs will never make as their goal is to make big money from tickets and concessions this summer.

Hopefully, if this is a hit, it will embarrass those clubs into trying something similar for their fans in future seasons.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

New coaching staffs often want to pick their own quarterback. With the Arizona Cardinals hiring Mike LaFleur, there is likely to be a change in the QB room as well.

Kyler Murray is already rumored to be available via trade (though he would prefer to be released). Meanwhile, Jacoby Brissett is coming off a career year, meaning Arizona could take advantage of his superior trade value by making a high trade for either. Or they could see if he achieves an elevated level of performance in Arizona, and just roll with Brissett for another season at the low cost of $9.1 million.

Either way, if the Cardinals move on from Murray, they will need to add another quarterback to the roster, and it would be ideal to have an insurance policy in case Brissett doesn’t find continued success. Still, the new coaching staff may already have another QB in mind.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Cardinals are interested in signing two-time Super Bowl champion Jimmy Garoppolo.

Garoppolo is now 34 years old, but he has gone 42-21 as a starter, making him a very capable fill-in starter if needed. Either way, it’s clear that LaFleur, who coached Garoppolo for four seasons in San Francisco and two seasons in Los Angeles, would be comfortable keeping him as his QB in Arizona.

RELATED: Arizona Cardinals Pro Bowler wants off team

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

The Arizona Cardinals have a new head coach. Chances are, they’ll also have a new starting quarterback in 2026, which will likely be the end of Kyler Murray’s career in Arizona. If new Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur decides he wants his own hand-picked QB, who could it be?

The popular pick points to the Cardinals pursuing top free agent quarterback Malik Willis. The dual-threat QB, who has spent the last two seasons in Green Bay, could be an ideal fit for LaFleur’s offense, especially since he spent the last two seasons in Green Bay playing for Mike’s brother Matt.

Recently, Tony Pauline of Essential Sports revealed that sources he has spoken with believe Willis will end up with the Cardinals.

Willis will likely not re-sign in Green Bay. Instead, he’ll likely receive some offers that will give him a chance to emerge as the starting quarterback, and Arizona would certainly fit the bill. However, the Cardinals likely won’t be the only team pursuing the 26-year-old who went 2-1 as a starter in Green Bay.

Teams view Willis as a player worth taking a big chance after completing 78.7% of his passes for 972 yards, 6 TDs and no interceptions as a member of the Packers.

The question is, how much money will teams be willing to pay for a player who has made six starts? And how many teams will be involved in a market that doesn’t have many high-end options available at the QB position?

RELATED: Arizona Cardinals could pursue top running back for Mike LaFleur’s offense

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The Arizona Cardinals offense will get a new look in 2026 after firing Jonathan Gannon and hiring Mike LaFleur as head coach. However, after finishing 23rd in scoring, a change is a good thing in this regard.

One particular area where Arizona struggled mightily was with a rushing attack that finished with the second fewest yards. Yet, after season-ending injuries to James Conner, Jonavon Knight, and Trey Benson, their ground game did not receive much of a chance.

With the Cardinals entering a new regime, perhaps it’s time for a fresh start, too.

Recently, ESPN’s Rich Cimini suggested that the Cardinals could be a suitor for one of the top free agent running backs available, the Jets’ Breece Hall.

Connor is under contract through 2026, but it’s likely the Cardinals will move on from the 30-year-old after he was limited to just three games last season. Connor has a cap hit of $9.6 million for next season, but he is also a two-time Pro Bowler.

Still, Hall, who is also excellent as a pass-catcher, is six years younger, and he is more versatile for Coach LaFleur’s offense. If the price is right, Arizona, which is projected to have about $33 million in cap space, could use a portion of it on Hall.

RELATED: Arizona Cardinals linked to future Hall of Fame QB

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The Arizona Cardinals will have a different feel next season after firing Jonathan Gannon and hiring Mike LaFleur as their head coach. The Cardinals could also move on from franchise quarterback Kyler Murray this offseason.

If the Cardinals part ways with Murray, who has a $52.6 million cap hit in 2026, they will have to add another arm to their QB room. For now, Jacoby Brissett is ready to return, possibly even as the starter after a career year where he threw for 3,366 passing yards and 23 touchdowns in just 12 starts. The only other QB on the roster (besides Murray) is 2024 undrafted free agent signee Kedon Slovis.

Thus, it doesn’t matter if the Cardinals add another QB to the roster; It is a question of who, when and how.

However, now speculation has begun about the Cardinals signing Aaron Rodgers this offseason.

“Currently, it is believed that the Steelers will be the only viable option for quarterback Aaron Rodgers in 2026. But what about the Cardinals? The most obvious link is offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. The Broncos hired him as head coach in 2022, at a time when it was believed the Packers would be willing to trade Rodgers.”

The future Hall of Fame QB’s ties to Arizona are strong. In addition to Hackett, Coach LaFleur’s brother, Matt, was Rodgers’ head coach for four seasons in Green Bay. Florio says the Rams (Mike LaFleur’s former team) kept Rodgers as their “Plan B” in case Matthew Stafford left last offseason.

Are those connections strong enough to keep Rodgers on a team that finished last in its division with a 3-14 record in 2025? We may find out soon, but the Steelers are expected to have mutual interest in bringing Rodgers back for another year, which could help raise the QB’s price in free agency.

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Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ