GLENDALE, AZ — The Arizona Cardinals walked into the 2026 NFL free agency period with a desperate need to redefine their identity after the Kyler Murray era ended. Instead, GM Monti Ossenfort and new head coach Mike LaFleur chose to gamble on a familiar face. By failing to secure a high-upside starter and effectively handing the keys back to Jacoby Brissett, Arizona just committed the biggest blunder of the off-season. While the roster saw minor upgrades in the trenches, the failure to address the most important position on the field leaves the Cardinals stuck in neutral.
The Statistical Mirage of 2025
On paper, Brissett’s 2025 campaign looks serviceable. He threw for 3,366 yards and 23 touchdowns against only eight interceptions. Those numbers suggest a steady hand, but the win-loss column tells a more brutal story. The Cardinals finished 3-14 last year, and Brissett owns a staggering 2-15 record over his last 17 NFL starts. He is the master of the “stat-pad” drive—moving the ball efficiently while trailing by three scores but failing to produce when the pressure reaches a boiling point. The desert heat hasn’t been this dry since the team’s last playoff win in 2015.
The front office did manage to snag some talent. Running back Tyler Allgeier adds much-needed violence to the ground game, and landing guard Isaac Seumalo provides a veteran anchor for the offensive line. Even Kendrick Bourne offers a reliable target for a WR3 role. Yet, none of these moves matter if the man under center can’t win games. The atmosphere at State Farm Stadium has grown cold, even in the Arizona sun, as fans realize the “bridge” to the future might actually be a pier leading nowhere.
“I know what the critics say about the record, but I’m here to lead. Coach LaFleur and I have a vision for this offense that goes beyond just the numbers from last year. We’re building something real here, and I’m ready to prove I can be the guy to win those close ones.”
— Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals Quarterback
The Draft Gamble: Ty Simpson or Bust
The Cardinals currently hold the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Common logic suggests they should stay put and take a generational defender like Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey to fix a defense that allowed 28.7 points per game last season. However, the Brissett situation forces their hand. If they don’t move back into the late first round to grab Alabama’s Ty Simpson, they are effectively punting on the 2026 season. Simpson is a 15-game starter who thrives in play-action—a staple of the LaFleur and Nathaniel Hackett system—but he is a “risk-heavy” prospect who likely needs a year of seasoning.
By passing on a veteran like Malik Willis in free agency, the Cardinals have backed themselves into a corner. They are now praying that a rookie falls into their lap or that Brissett suddenly finds a winning gear he hasn’t possessed in a decade. It’s a dangerous game to play with a fan base that is already checking out before the first whistle of training camp. The NFC West is a gauntlet, and right now, the Cardinals are walking into it with a shield but no sword.
