Bidwill's and Ossenfort's Continued Mishandling of QBs 2023-2026

By Walter Mitchell

Under Monti Ossenfort, when it comes to handling QBs, the Arizona Cardinals have become the NFC's version of the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets. 

Here is the list of QBs that Ossenfort has had under contract over the past 4 years:

2023

* Colt McCoy --- presumed starter coming off injury-riddled 2022 season --- cut during pre-season due to arm issues

* David Blough --- cut --- he signed to the Detroit Lions' PS

* Jeff Driskel --- cut --- signed to PS

* Clayton Tune --- 5th round pick --- thrown to wolves in CLE so that Kyler wouldn't have to take the punishment

* Josh Dobbs --- acquired via late pre-season trade with CLE for ARI 5th round pick, went 1-7, then despite be assured by the head coach that he wouldn't be traded, was traded along with the Cardinals 7th round pick (conditional) to MIN for their 2024 6th round pick.

* Kyler Murray --- handed the keys despite a heavily divided locker room and major questions about his leadership and late season swoons. Was given the autonomy to recruit Paris Johnson Jr. as 1st round pick (with 3 returning tackles all of whom graded over 70.0 in 2022) --- at the expense of passing on Will Anderson Jr. ---and was named captain by the head coach (without a vote from players). Went 3-5 in 8 starts.

What made little sense: hiring a defensive-minded head coach with no NFL head coaching experience and an offensive coordinator with no experience whose scheme was not ideal for Kyler Murray. Classic double-cross by the GM.

2024

* Kyler Murray --- started 6-4 and then faded down the stretch going 2-5.

* Clayton Tune --- won the QB2 job

* Desmond Ridder --- trade with ATL, giving up 2021 2nd round pick WR Rondale Moore (RIP) --- was retained on PS until October 21 when he was claimed by the Las Vegas Raiders.

* Anthony Brown, Jr. --- PS

2005

* Kyler Murray --- was sidelined after 2-3 start with a foot injury and a comment to the media regarding a failed 3rd and 8 that "I just run the plays the coaches call." He was then paraded around in practices with the foot and arm looking fine for a possible trade offer and, after the trading deadline when no trade offer had been made, he was placed on the season-ending IR. 

* Jacoby Brissett --- signed to a 2-year $12.5M contract with $8M guaranteed as a Plan B in the event that Kyler Murray would be sidelined or continue to struggle in the offense. Started 12 games, going 1-11, but was the NFL's leading passer in yards per game over his 123 starts at 280.5 and 2nd in NFL in TD passes with 23 during that stretch. Despite making only 12 of a possible 17 starts, he delivered the NFL's  #1 most productive WR/TE tandem: Michael Wilson and Trey McBride combining for 2,245 yards and 18 TDs, while in the process won the confidence and trust of his teammates. 

* Clayton Tune --- was cut and decided to sign for the Packers' practice squad.

* Kedon Slovis --- was signed to the PS and then elevated to roster as QB2 after Kyler Murray was placed on the IR.

2026

* Kyler Murray --- released, with team paying him $38.1M this season while he is playing at the veteran minimum with the Minnesota Vikings. Career money from Cardinals: $208.3M.

* Jacoby Brissett --- holdout --- asking to be paid more than $4.8M in base salary with only $1.5M guaranteed

* Gardner Minshew --- 1 year $5.75M contract with $5.1M guaranteed

* Carson Beck --- 3rd round pick (only draft pick unsigned)

* Kedon Slovis --- Minshew and he took the vast majority of the 1st and 2nd team reps during the team's OTAs and mandatory mini-camp that went for 2 days before the 3rd day was cancelled by the head coach. 

Cardinals Dragging Their Feet Per Usual

Mike Florio said during a recent interview with Devin McCourty (Jacoby's former NE teammate who has been talking to him throughout his holdout), "Marvin Harrison Jr. recently said that it's hard to develop chemistry with Brissett if Brissett is not there --- and some interpret that as a shot at Brissett --- but it's a shot at the team. The team has to fix this. The Cardinals already have a reputation of being cheap and I know they've tried to get past this --- but this is what a cheap team does --- it drags its feet ---it doesn't do right by its players --- it doesn't pay a fine value for the service it is going to get." 

Note: McCourty added that Jacoby has said to him, he's not looking for $30M, but he wants a fair salary to be the starter. 

How and why in the world are the Cardinals also dragging their feet with Carson Beck's contract? Maybe that was the reason why Mike LaFleur chose not give Beck reps with the 1st and 2nd team offenses during OTAs and the mandatory minicamp. 

Commentary:

The two QBs on the current roster who should have been getting the majority of the snaps in practice are Jacoby Brissett and Carson Beck. 

There is one QB on the roster who has developed a special chemistry with Michael Wilson and Trey McBride and had started to build a strong chemistry with Marvin Harrison Jr. as well, until Marv was sidelined for 5 games. 

That QB is Jacoby Brissett. 

There is one young QB on the current roster who has chance to be the Cardinals QB of the future. 

That QB is Carson Beck. 

Classic Cardinals to screw this up.

One could very well argue that Bidwill and Ossenfort are the worst imaginable handlers and evaluators of QBs.