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A Hooray Day that has Cardinals' Players Celebrating
By Walter Mitchell
The fortunes of the 2026 Arizona Cardinals took a dramatic turn on the first day of legal tampering when the wishes of the Cardinals' players came true and not those of the ill-advised team's pundits and fans.
Here is the mood of the Cardinals' players this morning, as manifested by one of their impressive new additions, WR Kendrick Bourne:
https://x.com/i/status/2031209111132537036
While Cardinals' pundits and fans for weeks tried to drum up obsessive interest in the Cardinals signing QB Malik Willis to what amounted to be a 3-year, $76M contract with $45M guaranteed --- Monti Ossenfort and new head coach Mike LaFleur were listening --- not to the fans --- not to the petulant pundits --- not to Matt LaFleur --- they were listening to their players, instead.
BC
@az_blitz
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Replying to @WBJMItch
It’s never been more over Walt. Worst QB room in the NFL by a mile. And they’ve wasted the rookie scale contract of Michael Wilson, MHJ, Trey McBride and Paris Johnson. The would be smart to sell off for the tank that’s coming. 35-79 is the record of our QB room.
Do you understand how happy Trey McBride, Michael Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr. are today to know Jacoby Brissett is returning as the starter? Obviously, they banged the table for him with the new coaching staff. This is going to be a highly physical offense with big-play potential. They deserve to carry this momentum into a new season. There will be NO TANK in these guys. We saw that never-quit grit game after game in 2025.
The Cardinals' players want Jacoby Brissett to remain their QB.
They didn't want Malik Willis.
They like things just the way they are.
The plan all along was to stick with Jacoby at his teammates' behest and to bring back the physical style of offense they waged in 2024. To that purpose, Monti Ossenfort delivered on that plan like Dominos Pizza:
* RB James Conner --- on a restructured contract
- 2× Pro Bowl (2018, 2021)
- Disney Spirit Award (2016)
- First-team All-American (2014)
- ACC Player of the Year (2014)
- ACC Offensive Player of the Year (2014)
- ACC Brian Piccolo Award (2016)
- 2× First-team All-ACC (2014, 2016) (Wikipedia)
________________________________________________________________________
* RB Tyler Allgeier, 2 years, $12.25M
Not only is TA lightning quick for a big back, he's a tackle breaker. Top 30 in yards after contact at 2.9 ave. 70.7 pass blocking in 2025.
Career (4 years):
Rushing: 2,876 yds, 4,3 ave, 18 TDs, 171 1st downs; Receiving: 516 yds, 8.5 ave., 19 TDs.
Get this Birdgang: 0 career penalties, 0 career fumbles
Grade: A
_________________________________________________________________________________
* G Isaac Seumalo, 3-year #31.5M contract
"Seumalo has been one of the most consistent offensive linemen over the past four seasons, posting PFF grades between 66.3 and 73.9 during that span. This past season, he ranked seventh among guards in PFF pass-blocking grade (76.4) and 27th in run-blocking grade (67.1)".
Isaac Seumalo is #18 in PFF Free Agent rankings, the #1 G. The Cardinals aim to get back to their uber physical ways --- James Conner, Tyler Allegeier and Isaac Seumalo!
Grade: A+
_____________________________________________________________________________
* WR Kendrick Bourne, 2-year $11.47M contract worth up to $16.47M
Cardinals are able to outbid the Dolphins and 49ers for WR Kendrick Bourne on a 2-year $11.47M deal worth with incentives up to $16.47M. Bourne is a cagy, sure-handed and slippery route runner who thrives on 3rd downs the red zone.
Grade: A
_____________________________________________________________________
The reported interest the Cardinals had in QB Jimmy Garoppolo was legitimate. But it was always with the intention that he be the backup to Jacoby Brissett. Apparently, the negotiations with Jimmy G. "hit a snag" --- and so the Cardinals, wanting an experienced backup QB, turned to:
* QB Gardner Minshew, 1-year $5.75M, plus $2.25M in incentives.
Career: 17-30, 63.1%, 11,987 yds, 6.9 ave, 68-35 TD-int, 88.0 RTG.
With this UFA QB class, Minshew is one of the best backups and signing him signifies that the Cardinals are keeping Jacoby Brissett as the starter this year.
Truth is, of the 8 QBs Monti has had in Arizona, Jacoby Brissett is the only one who has generated a high-powered downfield passing attack. He has earned the respect and confidence of his teammates due to his work ethic. professional leadership, diligent game preparations and all of the extra time he spends with syncing up the timing with his receivers. His detail-oriented approach and willingness to step up into the pocket to deliver strikes downfield are very similar to Matthew Stafford's. There's a chance that Jacoby could thrive in Mike LaFleur's system. And having a veteran backup behind him like Gardner Minshew, for now, is an asset.
Grade: B.
What's astounding about Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew is despite their combined record of 37-75, they have combined for 26,753 passing yards and a TD/int ratio of 144-67.
Before Matthew Stafford was traded to the Rams, his record was 74-90-1.
Before Sam Darnold played for the Vikings and Seahawks, his record was 21-35.
Before Geno Smith became the Seahawks' starter, his record was 14-32.
The point is, Jacoby Brissett has earned the chance to prove this season he is not only capable of putting up impressive passing numbers as he did in 12 games last season (3,366 yards, 280.5 ypg, 64.9%, 23 TDs, 8 int., 94.1 RTG) leading the Cardinals to the #7 best passing offense and #9 best in 3rd down conversion percentage, that he is capable of leading the Cardinals to wins.
It's a tall task --- but if one takes special notice to the QB priorities that Mike LaFleur outlined to the Arizona media, Jacoby Brissett fits the "#1 - toughness" and "#2 -pocket passing ability" criteria to a tee.
The other positive of the Cardinals having two experienced QBs at the helm in 2026 is that a Sean McVay style of offense is highly nuanced and therefore it takes an experienced QB to garner a command of the offense as quickly as possible.
Finally, by not committing 3-years, $76MM and $45M guaranteed to an unproven, albeit talented young QB and by going with the players' wishes for Jacoby Brissett to be their 2026 QB, the Cardinals can determine whether Jacoby is worthy of a contract extension for 2027 and perhaps beyond, while the NFL is looking at one of the most talented (if not the most talented) QB markets in league history a year from now.
NFL Free Agent QBs 2027
* Matthew Stafford
* Baker Mayfield
* Davis Mills
* Mac Jones
* Tanner McKee
Draft Eligible QBs 2027
* Arch Manning, Texas
* Dante Moore, Oregon
* Trinidad Chambliss, Mississippi
* Sam Leavitt, LSU
* Darian Mensah, Miami (FL)
* Brendan Sorsby, Texas Tech
*Josh Hoover, Indiana
* LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
* John Mateer, Oklahoma
* Jaylen Maiava, USC
* Gunner Stockton, Georgia
Just as Monti Ossenfort addressed the offensive line with the addition of Isaac Seumalo, he signed two defensive linemen to help fortify that area of need.
* NT Roy Lopez, 2-year, $11.5M contract
The Lions were trying very hard to keep Roy Lopez and the Cardinals came in and go the deal done. Never wanted to see him leave. And now he's back on a 2-year $11.5M deal, this time with Pete Kwiatkowski as his coach and Teryl Austin as defensive advisor.
Grade: A.
* DE L.J. Collier, 1-year contract worth up to $2.5M in incentives.
Smart re-signing of L.J. Collier to an incentive laden deal worth up to $2.5M. Can't wait to see what Pete Kwiatkowski can do with LJC.
Grade: B
Brissett to Wilson is BAAAAACCCCKKKK!
Summary of Day One:
Hooray for this day.
Grade: A
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I'd give FA day 1 a B...
ReplyDeleteWhat we got - were backup rotational pieces for most part, while definitely needed we haven't really "improved" roster by much.
Conner - B+ (another year older, and after year of injury, lesser salary makes it worth risk)
Algier - B+ (Unfortunately Benson has not solidified himself as solid #2 RB, Algier could win #1 RB role)
Seumalo - A (OG was big need)
Minshew - C (OK, we needed a 2nd QB - glad w didnt overpay and got someone who can step in if needed)
Bourne - C (Is he an improvement over Z Jones or G Dortch - looks run of mill to me)
Lopez - B+ (With doghouse Robinson and Injured Nolen we had need for rotational pieces, Lopez was good not great in last stint in AZ)
Collier - B (Backup rotational piece at team friendly deal, again.)
Gotta hope they keep up the good FA signings with a solid Tackle. If they don't sign one, tells me the #3 gonna be a T.
ReplyDeleteWe don't need an OT at #3, there should be decent OT (RT) available in R2 & 3
DeleteGo with BPA at #3
I agree and hope you are right. The players are there-and 2:Monroe Freeling, Red 3 Blake Miller good fits. The best fit is Spenser Fano who is the perfect fit for LaFluer's outside-zone-heavy offensive system. This scheme prioritizes offensive tackles with lateral agility, foot quickness, and the ability to reach and climb to second-level defenders. I gotta think given this, he's our BPA and our OL would look the best its looked with the most promise for a decade.
DeleteI don't think I've ever seen a more polarized Cardinal fanbase before. One half thinks we're heading for 3 seasons of misery and the other half thinks yesterday was a good start to a methodical rebuilding process. Yesterday was a good intelligent start in the right direction IMO especially if you consider MO is still having to decision make around his predecessors horrible KM contract. I can't wait until that nightmare is behind us.
ReplyDeleteOn Minshew. This is going to be the first season in 8 years that this teams OL goes into training camp with all pocket passing QBs. I predict we are going to see improvement in OL performance this season. With Minshew, this team is getting a highly intelligent, experienced, charismatic backup leader type which IMO is exactly what this team needs. I have a feeling that whoever ends up being this teams QOTF, Minshew will be his mentor.
JB respectfully Kyler’s contract is not what ruined the last three year rebuild. Bad drafting, bad free agents signings, carry over cap space each year. Kyler’s contract is something like 15 in QB pay currently. Like I said Kyler Derangement Syndrome as we are still blaming Kyler for everything this franchise and its owner and its GM and its coaches have botch. Tomorrow Kyler and I will be gone. Can’t wait.
DeleteI've thought about not following this team more times than I can remember MSM, but for locational reasons, this team always pulls me back in. I am not blaming Kyler as much as I am the team for giving him that contract. The way I see it, Kylers contract will go down as one of this team's biggest mistakes. SK clearly had concerns about Murray when he added in the HW clause but he still went all in on the guarantee structure which IMO, KM hadn't earned. If I were Kyler I would have taken that deal too so I see it as more of this teams fault than it was his. That said, the 35M this team has to pay him this upcoming season plus the $54.7 million in dead money affects this team and its decision making. Not to defend Gannon as I think he was in over his head as HC but JG and DP having to start their time in AZ strapped to KM hurt them more than it helped them IMO. I don't blame KM for everything but he was a big part of why this team has not progressed the past 3 seasons.
DeleteThis sums up my thoughts on yesterday almost perfectly. The only difference is I would have given Minshew an A. Reason being, I think he might work out better then Jimmy would have to do weekly offensive installs.
ReplyDeleteAnd I can't even begin to tell you how happy I was to see Willis go to Miami. If our OL improves and our run game returns, this will be the best offensive environment/weapons that JB has even been in. I don't think that an MVP like season is out of the realm of possibilities.
I feel pretty good about what we did yesterday overall. While I can't disagree with the Jacoby critics pointing out the lack of wins, he played very well without a running game to speak of and the defense struggling mightily.
ReplyDeleteAllgeier is an A+ signing in my book. I think he is immediately RB1 and most people aren't aware of his talents since he's been blocked by Bijan. Had 1,000+ rushing the only year he played before they drafted Robinson and I like the hard-nosed style of play, too.
I haven't watched the tape on the new OG from Pittsburgh, but we need some stability at that position. The big ? now is where are we getting our RT?
My RT options would be either Max I. from ASU at #34 in the draft or J. Noteboom UFA a former Ram. I would zero in on pass rusher Reese at # 3 in the draft. Maybe sign a DE in UFA like a A J Epenesa from Buffalo.
ReplyDeleteAll of the talking heads on youtube are creating doomsday scenarios about yesterdays 1st day of free agency but Mike LaFleur has a vision for his offense and that is to run a physical outside zone game with deep shots built in. Instantly when we signed Allgeirs, I knew that was a hand picked RB of Mike LaFleur. Allgeir and James Conner is going to punish teams front 7. What people don't realize is that when watching Stafford in the Rams offense, the prototypical QB to replicate the layers of throwing downfield has been Jacoby all along, not Malik Willis. Walt what do you see as a viable option at RT, thinking free agency or draft ?
ReplyDeletesneakyjobu, the Cardinals are not going to pick a tackle at #3 ahead of Resse, Bain, Bailey and Styles. First of all, while this will be immensely unpopular with the "brand name" fans, there is a strong belief in the building that Josh Fryar is made to order at RT for this offense. He's a nasty run blocker and his pass pro at RT during Ohio St.'s run for the 2024 Natty against 3 of the top 5 defenses in D1 was huge; he did not give up a single sack and only had one on the season. Paris Johnson Jr. believes that Josh Fryar is a special kind of player due to his supreme work ethic and on-the-field aggression. Secondly, there are high quality 2nd round tackles in this draft if need be:
DeleteMonroe Freeling, Georgia
Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
Caleb Lomu, Utah
Blake Miller, Clemson
Interesting because scouts are projecting both Francis Mauigoa and Spencer Fano as better NFL fits at guard than at tackle.
PJJ on Fryar: "I know the guy he is, and while I know he came in undrafted, I believe the Cardinals have a star," Johnson said. "Since I was in college, I always said 'whatever team Josh Fryar is going to be on, he's going to be a long-term guy because of the way he works, his mentality, the way he shows up, and the way he loves to take coaching and advice.'"
So question for the class-given these moves and solid draft (can they actually screw up a draft picking 1-3rd almost every round-rhetorical?):
ReplyDelete1. Do they have a reasonable chance to make the Playoffs?
2. How many wins with the League's 4th hardest schedule and a new staff and scheme?
3. Will the play (not record) substantially improve from last season?
4. What are reasonable fan expectations this season-play, W-L record?
Any single answer encompassing these questions get an A from the "teacher".