Cardinals Hint at QB Plans Ahead of NFL Draft

GM Monti Ossenfort and coach Mike LaFleur refuse to name a starting QB, signaling Arizona may draft a QB in 2026.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:53am

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A fractured, geometric painting in vibrant colors depicting a football game, with sharp, overlapping planes representing the Cardinals' quarterback situation.The Cardinals' quarterback uncertainty ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft is reflected in a cubist, deconstructed illustration of the game.Las Vegas Today

The Arizona Cardinals are facing uncertainty at the quarterback position after the departure of Kyler Murray this offseason. While they have veterans Gardner Minshew and Jacoby Brissett on the roster, Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort and new head coach Mike LaFleur have hinted that the team may draft a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft to address the position.

Why it matters

The Cardinals' refusal to name a starting QB and their acknowledgment that the QB room is still being evaluated suggests the team is likely targeting a quarterback in the upcoming draft, rather than relying on their current veteran options. This could have major implications for the 2026 NFL Draft order and the future of the Cardinals' franchise.

The details

In separate interviews, Ossenfort and LaFleur both emphasized that the Cardinals are not ready to name a starting quarterback, with Ossenfort saying "We're not really naming anybody" and LaFleur noting "None of that's even being discussed." This indicates the team is keeping its options open at the position, likely with an eye toward the draft. The top quarterback prospects in 2026 are expected to be Fernando Mendoza, who is projected to go to the Las Vegas Raiders, and Ty Simpson from Alabama, who could be available later in the draft for the Cardinals to potentially select.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in late April 2026.

The players

Monti Ossenfort

The general manager of the Arizona Cardinals.

Mike LaFleur

The new head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.

Gardner Minshew

A veteran quarterback currently on the Arizona Cardinals roster.

Jacoby Brissett

A veteran quarterback currently on the Arizona Cardinals roster.

Fernando Mendoza

The consensus top quarterback prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft class, projected to be selected by the Las Vegas Raiders.

Ty Simpson

The second-best quarterback prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft class, who could be available for the Cardinals to select later in the draft.

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What they’re saying

“They both have played a lot of ball. As we sit here today, we're trying to install a system. We're not really naming anybody. We'll see how that room looks by the time we get to August.”

— Monti Ossenfort, Cardinals General Manager

“There's certain positions that you feel really good about, and I feel really good about the quarterback position. Why? Because both those guys have played a lot of football. None of that's even being discussed because all we're trying to do is get a foundational aspect of what this system looks like.”

— Mike LaFleur, Cardinals Head Coach

What’s next

The Cardinals will continue to evaluate their quarterback options in the coming months, with the 2026 NFL Draft in late April being a key milestone for the team's plans at the position.

The takeaway

The Cardinals' reluctance to name a starting quarterback and their acknowledgment that the QB room is still being assessed suggests the team is likely targeting a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft, rather than relying on their current veteran options. This could have significant implications for the draft order and the future of the Cardinals' franchise.