Cardinals Look to Reset Roster Under New Coach Mike LaFleur

With the No. 3 overall pick in the NFL draft, Arizona aims to build around new leadership and address key needs.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 1:10am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting football players, coaches, and draft prospects in an abstract, geometric composition, conveying the complex challenges of rebuilding an NFL team.The Cardinals' new leadership aims to reconstruct their roster through strategic draft picks and roster moves.Tempe Today

The Arizona Cardinals are in reset mode after a 4-13 season, firing their previous head coach and releasing quarterback Kyler Murray. With a new head coach in Mike LaFleur and a holdover general manager in Monti Ossenfort, the franchise is hoping to combine different perspectives to build a successful philosophy heading into the NFL draft. The Cardinals hold the No. 3 overall pick and are evaluating their options, including potentially trading down to target a quarterback like Alabama's Ty Simpson.

Why it matters

The Cardinals are in a tough NFC West division, facing the reigning Super Bowl champions and other playoff contenders. Significant improvement is needed in 2026, putting pressure on the new coaching staff and front office to make the right moves in the draft to rebuild the roster.

The details

The Cardinals have two veteran quarterbacks in Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew, but both are seen as better suited as backups. The team could trade down from the No. 3 pick if they don't see a true first-round QB prospect. On the roster, the Cardinals need to address right tackle and could use another elite pass rusher to complement Josh Sweat, who had a career-high 12 sacks last season.

  • The 2026 NFL draft begins on April 23.
  • The Cardinals finished the 2025 season with a 4-13 record.

The players

Mike LaFleur

The new head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, bringing a fresh perspective to the team's evaluation process.

Monti Ossenfort

The holdover general manager of the Arizona Cardinals, who is working to combine his experience with LaFleur's new ideas.

Kyler Murray

The former franchise quarterback of the Arizona Cardinals, who was released by the team.

Paris Johnson Jr.

The Cardinals' starting left tackle since being selected with the No. 6 overall pick in 2023.

Josh Sweat

The Cardinals' pass rusher who had a career-high 12 sacks in 2025 after signing a $76.4 million, four-year deal.

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What they’re saying

“We have structures, processes in place that you get used to with one group. Now there's a bunch of new coaches. It goes both ways. There's ways that I like to do things and then there's perspectives that (LaFleur) brings that I haven't seen.”

— Monti Ossenfort, General Manager, Arizona Cardinals

“We're always looking to be the most competitive we can be this year. And there's always a long-term aspect to roster building as well. We have a challenging division. We have the Super Bowl champs, the team that was playing to go to the Super Bowl and a team in the final eight. It's a meat grinder of a division, but we wouldn't want it any other way.”

— Monti Ossenfort, General Manager, Arizona Cardinals

What’s next

The Cardinals will evaluate their options with the No. 3 overall pick, including potentially trading down to target a quarterback like Alabama's Ty Simpson, while also addressing needs at right tackle and pass rusher.

The takeaway

The Cardinals' new leadership duo of coach Mike LaFleur and GM Monti Ossenfort face a challenging task of rebuilding the roster in a tough NFC West division. Their ability to combine fresh perspectives and long-term planning will be crucial in determining the team's direction and competitiveness in 2026 and beyond.