Mike LaFleur prefers veteran QBs who fit his pocket passing toughness profile
Credit: Joe Rondone/The Republic
By Walter Mitchell
As we discussed on the Red Rain Podcast, Ty Simpson is not an ideal fit in Mike LaFleur's offense and neither is Malik Willis. LaFleur prefers big, strong pocket passers who can work the pocket, make the big throws downfield, take a licking and keep on ticking.
All of the QBs he's had success with are veterans who "don't need to be taught football." Jacoby Brissett fits the profile and what so many of you are ignoring is that LaFleur listened to Jacoby's teammates who believe in his arm talent, toughness and leadership, which was manifested over and over again in games last season. In our opinion, Jacoby Brissett, with an improved running game and a significantly more aggressive defense, deserves his chance to prove he can lead the team to wins this season.
If Jacoby proves he's the right fit, then the team can re-sign him. If not, the team has not only a star-studded QB pool to dive into in the 2027 NFL Draft with prospects who fit MLF's profile like
* Arch Manning (TX)
* Dante Moore (ORE)
* C.J. Carr (ND)
* Jayden Maiava (USC)
* LaNorris Sellers (SC)
* Brendan Sorsby (TTU)
* Drew Mestemaker (OKST)
If Mike LaFleur wants to keep going the more experienced veteran route, then here are some potential UFA QB options:
* Matthew Stafford
* Baker Mayfield
* Mac Jones
* Davis Mills
* Tanner McKee
* Will Levis
Opinion:
Drafting a QB this season on Day 1 or 2, particularly giving up valuable draft capital to do so at the expense of missing out on other top defensive prospects, could be a regrettable decision, given that the locker room is united around a QB for the first time in 5 years, a QB who fits the HC's system, and given the plethora of quarterback options available to the team in 2027.
In certain ways, it could be a boon for the Cardinals if Jacoby proves his fit in the system given the outstanding WR pool in 2027:
* Jeremiah Smith (OSU)
* Cam Coleman (AUB)
* Ryan Williams (ALA)
* T.J. Moore (CLEM)
* Mario Carver (TA&M)
* Ryan Wingo (TX)
* Mike Mathews (TEN)
Plus, given the top of the draft talent at offensive tackle:
* Jordan Seaton (LSU)
* Carter Smith (IND)
* Cayden Green (MIZ)
* Andrew Sprague (MICH)
* Trevor Goosby (TX)
* Brandon Barker (TX)
Keeping Brissett as starting Qb is a no brainer. He took the job from Murray, elevated the play of all around him without a semblance of any running game while showing superior toughness in the pocket having been sacked 43 times. Yet his pressure to sack ratio was the 3rd best among QBs in the entire league. Brissett excels at timing throws and is a perfect fit for Lafluer's passing offense.
ReplyDeletePerfectly said 61.
DeleteFor Jacobys sake, I really hope this coaching staff jells asap and is able to get the most out of the talent on this team. If this coaching staff struggles, especially on offense, Jacoby will be the scapegoat for a lot of online fans just like he was last season. IMO, Jacoby was one of the bright spots last season.
DeleteIf we do take a QB it should be round 4 or later, Drew Allar seems like best fit if that scenario plays out. Best to wait for a QB 'til next year. Brissett showed he has poise under pressure and could make all the throws, he earned his stripes and badge as Cardinals starter for 2026 (he out-played that star QB everyone is clamoring over).
ReplyDeleteWalt, you've convinced me with Scott at 34 over an OT would make a larger difference to team.
I agree, Redrun. Drew Allar could make sense as a developmental QB. And I'll tell ya, the kid from North Dakota St., Cole Payton, has not only the game, he has an "it" factor. My super sleeper is Joe Fagnano of UConn who is one of the most impressively accurate, intelligent and poised QBs I watched whole games of in 2025. Watching him and WR Skyler Bell carve up defenses was a treat.
DeleteVeterans who "don't need to be taught football" is even more essential for this franchise, because they never have the institutions and culture in place to set up young players to succeed. It's no coincidence that most of the success this team has had came from Kurt Warner and Carson Palmer coming in. They were late enough in their careers that they couldn't be ruined by this franchise's chaotic front office.
ReplyDeleteWhen you look at the draft picks who do succeed with this team, it's always guys like Fitz, Budda, and McBride who have abnormally high levels of internal motivation and don't need the franchise to help them succeed.
I think you don't just need to look at guys who fit LaFleur, but also guys who have the profile that can succeed in this franchise.
Excellent points, UF.
DeleteThe three QBs we had in for a visit were Simpson, Carson Beck and Sawyer Robertson. They all kind of fit the profile I think we may take a QB this year just not with prime first or second round picks.
ReplyDeleteBeck probably will fall to Round 3, maybe even fourth round. Sawyer will definitely be there Day 3, so that's more of a Kedon Slovis replacement I would guess
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