Mike LaFleur is set to begin his first free agency period as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, working alongside general manager Monti Ossenfort to rebuild the roster after a disappointing 2025 season. Team owner Michael Bidwill has called for a quick turnaround. The approach taken in acquiring players during this period will influence the team’s identity in LaFleur’s inaugural year.
Currently, three quarterbacks are under contract for 2026: Kyler Murray with a cap hit of $52,660,677, Jacoby Brissett at $9,190,000, and Kedon Slovis at $1,005,000. The Cardinals plan to release Murray on March 11. Despite his departure, his cap impact for next season remains near $50 million. Releasing him will save about $19.5 million in guarantees due in 2027.
Attention now turns to filling the quarterback position. Brissett was added last offseason and played an important role when Murray was injured. He completed nearly 65 percent of his passes for 3,366 yards and threw 23 touchdowns over the season but also had eight interceptions and was sacked 43 times in just 12 starts—his second-highest total in a decade-long career.
The Cardinals must decide if Brissett, who is now 33 years old, should remain their starting quarterback or move back into a backup role for the upcoming season. Malik Willis is another notable free agent; he previously played under Mike LaFleur’s brother Matt with the Green Bay Packers and was drafted by the Tennessee Titans when Ossenfort worked there. Jimmy Garoppolo from the Los Angeles Rams is also linked to Arizona due to his familiarity with LaFleur’s system. Reports indicate that other teams may consider Brissett as a starter if Arizona pursues trade options.
How Arizona handles free agency could affect its draft strategy. Some analysts project that Alabama’s Ty Simpson might be targeted early in the draft or that later-round prospects like Drew Allar or Garrett Nussmeier could be considered.
The Cardinals have signed several veteran quarterbacks through free agency over past years including Brissett (2025), Brett Hundley (2019), Sam Bradford (2018), Mike Glennon (2018), Blaine Gabbert (2017), Drew Stanton (2013), Derek Anderson (2010), Kurt Warner (2005), Shaun King (2004), Boomer Esiason (1996), Jim McMahon (1994), and Steve Beuerlein (1993).
The team plays home games in Glendale and serves fans throughout the greater Phoenix area as part of the NFC West division (official website). The franchise stands as one of the oldest continuously operating professional football teams in the United States and captured an NFC championship in 2008 (official website).
“Owner Michael Bidwill said that he wanted a quick turnaround after a disappointing 2025 season.”