Cardinals Newcomer in Zero-Pressure Situation
Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur literally cannot fail compared to his predecessor — or can he?
The Arizona Cardinals, a team unlikely to secure any significant victories in 2026, have selected Jacoby Brissett as their starting quarterback. Although he may not be the top choice for leading the promising talents of Jeremiyah Love, Trey McBride, and Marvin Harrison Jr., Brissett appears to be the best available option. The defensive team, featuring Walter Nolen III, Denzel Burke, and Budda Baker, has largely remained unchanged despite ranking 29th in scoring (28.7 points allowed per game) during the 2025 season. Improvements, if any, would be considered a success.
Jacob LaFleur, who has entered his first year with no preconceived expectations, has taken over as the head coach. LaFleur's offensive background includes stints with the Los Angeles Rams, New York Jets, and San Francisco 49ers, where he held positions such as Offensive Coordinator and Passing Game Coordinator. The Cardinals have not made significant roster changes this offseason, but have added veteran Andrew Wingard and Roy Lopez to bolster the offensive side of the team.
Defensive coordinator Nick Rallis will continue to guide the defense, hoping for slight improvements. If the new head coach manages to take a three-win team and make incremental enhancements, that would be deemed a victory.
Written by urgent.news from Newsweek's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
