Arizona Cardinals Storylines To Watch As We Approach Training Camp

By Jared Figueroa

New Era Under Mike Lafleur 

First-year head coach Mike Lafleur, will look to turn things around for the franchise as he becomes the 12th full-time head coach since the organization moved to the Valley in 1988. Lafleur previously served as the offensive coordinator for the New York Jets(2021-2022) and the Los Angeles Rams(2023-2025). Lafleur is looking to continue the offensive success with the Cardinals, as the Rams ranked 1st in points per game(30.8) and 1st in yards per game(394.6) in 2025. 

 

Jacoby Brissett Contract Dispute 

As the Arizona Cardinals approach training camp, there is still no resolution to the contract situation between Brissett and the organization. Brissett has spent the entire offseason skipping voluntary workouts, due to back and forth negotiations. The 11th year journeyman is currently in the last year of his 2-year, $12.5 million dollar contract with Arizona, as the deal has a max value of $5.39 million for the 2026 season but only $1.5 million is guaranteed. Brissett is coming off of a career year with a 64.9 percent completion rate, 23 touchdowns and 8 interceptions, but finished the season 1-11 as a starter. It is believed throughout the organization that Brissett will be the week 1 starter once the contract dispute is resolved, but for now we’re looking at a battle between veteran Gardner Minshew and rookie Carson Beck.

 

Carson Beck 

The 65th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft turned a lot of heads when the selection was made. Carson Beck spent 6 years in college, posting an impressive 49-6 record with the Georgia Bulldogs and Miami(FL) Hurricanes. Beck is coming off an impressive season with Miami, leading them to the championship game against Indiana, but there are major concerns already due to his “off the field” personality,  Torn UCL in 2024 and limited mobility. Still, Beck will more than likely have some opportunity in the 2026 season with lower expectations for the franchise. 

 

Emergence of Marvin Harrison Jr. 

Looked at as a “generational talent” coming out of Ohio State, Harrison Jr. hasn’t quite lived up to the billing in his first two seasons. In his first season with the Cardinals, Harrison Jr. had similar numbers compared to Larry Fitzgerald and his father Marvin Harrison Sr., but the second year breakout never happened for the standout wide receiver. Instead, Michael Wilson and Trey Mcbride took much of the limelight once Brissett was under center for 12 games. But the 4th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft is looking for that massive jump in year 3, as he made it perfectly clear that he heard the outside criticism in a recent Instagram post saying “Knew I needed love but I think I value the hate more.” The talent is there, but a starving fanbase is now looking for results. 

 

O-Line Additions 

The Cardinals added a new left guard in Isaac Seumalo and right tackle in Elijah Wilkinson. The offensive line has been looked at as a major problem for many years but with the new additions on top of Arizona being set at left tackle with Paris Johnson Jr., the biggest question here will be seeing if the five guys up front can stay healthy throughout training camp and the preseason. Even if the offensive line is subpar, there might not have to be much work on their end as rookie sensation Jeremiyah Love will be primed and ready to go from the jump. 

 

Defensive Changes and Injuries

Expectations aren’t very high for this team due to various factors but the defensive side needs tons of work after losing various starters. Throughout the offseason, the Cardinals lose three primary starters on defense in Jalen Thompson, Calais Campbell and Bilal Nichols. A major factor for the struggles on defense was injuries as Arizona became the most injury-plagued team in 2025 with 32 players missing a total of 303 games. Now the Cardinals will look to have a fully healthy defense with Garrett Williams, Will Johnson and Walter Nolen III coming into the picture after  missing a combined 23 games in 2025.