Brissett's Shadow: Schaub's Crucial Role for Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals' new offense, led by head coach Mike LaFleur, is facing a critical integration phase as Week 1 approaches. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett, the undisputed starter, missed all offseason activities, including OTAs and minicamps, while finalizing his contract. This has placed him significantly behind teammates Gardner Minshew and rookie Carson Beck in learning LaFleur's complex offensive scheme.

To bridge this gap, Brissett has partnered with veteran QB coach Matt Schaub. Given Brissett's 11 years of experience and aptitude for quick learning, Schaub has focused on the offense's new terminology and nuances rather than basic fundamentals. Schaub, drawing from his 16-year playing career across multiple systems, provides invaluable real-life experience and schematic insight.

Despite Brissett's late start, he and Schaub are dedicating extra hours to meetings, walk-throughs, and discussions. This intensive mentorship aims to get Brissett comfortable with every player's role, a challenging task for any quarterback. While his full mastery before Week 1 is uncertain, the strong support system is designed to prevent him from being a complete work in progress.