GLENDALE – The NFL Hall of Fame preseason game is less than a week away, which signifies a major milestone for the Arizona Cardinals. While being head coach Mike LaFleur’s first game in the role, it’ll be a major step in the quarterback battle for the franchise. Arizona has had plenty drama surrounding the position, with last year’s starter Jacoby Brissett sitting out a majority of the offseason waiting on a new deal.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!While a new deal was inked last week, the starting QB position is locked up, and LaFleur is keeping his decision close to the chest. During Friday’s press conference, the 39-year-old stated that the quarterbacks that will take part in Thursday’s game will be revealed next week.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
LaFleur keeps QB decision close to chest:
The belief will be that the three quarterbacks, Brissett, Gardner Minshew and Carson Beck, will all get reps against the Carolina Panthers on Aug. 6th. The ordering of each player’s arrival into the game will tell a lot of how LaFleur views the depth chart. Before Brissett rejoined the team, Minshew was given first-team reps. The former Pro Bowler’s experience made him a safer option than the rookie.
However, as training camp is in full swing, and Brissett’s returns, that hierarchy likely changed. A player Brissett’s age likely won’t get a lot of reps this preseason, but him missing a majority of the team’s offseason activities could increase the number of snaps.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett speaks with the press during training camp at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on July 26, 2026. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Throughout his early tenure in the Valley, LaFleur has kept plenty of the team’s operations close to the chest. He won’t reveal who’ll be the starter for the season opener in September soon. But, the decisions he makes when it comes to preseason reps will be a big indicator on the starting quarterback for the 2026 Cardinals.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
