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The Arizona Cardinals have a new, first-year head coach in Mike LaFleur, and unlike Jonathan Gannon, he brings an offensive-minded skill set to the table. Which, on paper, the Cardinals’ offense looks pretty good now that they’ve sprinkled a potential star running back in to complement James Conner (if he’s not traded) and Tyler Allgeier.
Yet, there are still questions along the offensive line, and at the most important position in football, quarterback. While Jacoby Brissett is coming off arguably the best season of his career, Arizona still went just 1-11 in games started by the 33-year-old veteran. Could a new and improved QB turn this team’s fate around?
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Defensively, the Cardinals still have questions after ranking 29th in points allowed last season. But there’s hope that defensive coordinator Nick Rallis, who’s viewed as a rising star in the industry, can get this group turned around under new direction. But that’s far from a guarantee.
Right now, the Cardinals aren’t expected to contend. They’re projected to be a team that takes more than their fair share of lumps while competing in the NFC West alongside the Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, and San Francisco 49ers. But could trading for a proven QB change Arizona’s fate?
Recently, The Heavy’s Cardinals insider Kyle Odegard posted a mailbag after asking Arizona fans to submit them via email. The top question in the bunch was whether the Cardinals should trade for Baker Mayfield, who, like Brissett, may be headed for a contract dispute in the final year of his deal.
If the Bucs aren’t able to gain traction in contract negotiations, would they be willing to trade the former No. 1 overall pick before he reaches free agency and potentially pushes his price up even higher?
Yet, Odegard thinks pursuing a trade, which in this circumstance would send two first-round picks to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, wouldn’t be wise for the way this Cardinals team is currently constructed. In essence, Arizona isn’t ready to go all-in yet; they need to continue this rebuild the right way.
Barring a trade for a more proven QB, the Cardinals are expected to be competing for a top-five pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. Rather than hitching their cart to a 31-year-old QB like Mayfield, the Cardinals may be able to land a QB who’s nearly a decade younger for a fraction of the cost, both in salary and draft compensation. As Odegard said, they’re better off taking their lumps this year. Plus, who knows, Mayfield may become a free agent next offseason, then Arizona can throw a bag at him rather than part with precious draft compensation.
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