In the wake of Arizona releasing Kyler Murray and then signing only Gardner Minshew in free agency, Brissett wasn't given an assurances that he'd be the team's starting signal-caller in 2026, per Weinfuss. Brissett thus has stayed away from the early stages of the offseason program as he seeks a raise to starter-level money, as his current contract includes just $1.5 million in guarantees, while Minshew's deal ensures $5.14 million this season. Brissett went only 1-11 as the Cardinals' starting QB in 2025, but he took advantage of high volume in those contests, completing 315 of 484 passes (65.1 percent) for 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions. The team added Carson Beck in the third round of this year's draft, but according to Weinfuss's report Friday, Brissett has been informed by the Cards that he's the starter for 2026.

Geers played his entire collegiate career with Minnesota and recorded a total of 58 receptions for 518 yards and nine touchdowns. He improved his blocking skills throughout college and is considered a reliable pass catcher, making it possible that he'll compete for a roster spot during training camp.

Along with Love, who projects to vault right to the top of the depth chart at running back, the Cardinals also signed Tyler Allgeier and restructured James Conner's contract over the offseason. Benson has never played a single regular-season snap on special teams in his career but may have to learn if he's going to stick in Arizona. The more likely outcome may be that Benson is traded to a team in need of backfield depth before Week 1. The 2024 third-round pick has a career 92-451-1 rushing line, good for a strong 4.9 yards per carry.

Williams spent his entire five-year college career at Ole Miss, serving as a starter both at left and right tackle. He has good size with a 6-foot-4, 307-pound frame and excels in space as a blocker on run and screen plays, but he projects as a development product who could spend time on the practice squad. Williams slots in as a reserve offensive tackle behind Paris Johnson and Elijah Wilkinson.

Sharar finally won a starting job at weakside linebacker in his fifth year at Iowa, recording 83 tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks through 13 games. The 23-year-old has average size (6-foot-2, 231 pounds) but features impressive athleticism (4.56 40-yard dash, 40-inch vertical, 123-inch broad jump). Sharar probably won't be in the starting mix as a rookie because he still lacks experience, but he can contribute on special teams while developing his skills.

Virgil leveraged his third-year breakout at Miami (Ohio) in 2024 into a starting role at Texas Tech in 2025. The 21-year-old finished his final season with 57 receptions for 705 yards and six touchdowns. He's a tall, lanky receiver at 6-foot-3, 187 pounds, and while that didn't limit him in college, it will be a bigger impediment to playing time in the NFL. Out of the gate, Virgil, who ran a 4.57 40-yard dash at the 2026 NFL Combine, figures to be a candidate to compete for special-teams work until he can carve out an offensive role in an Arizona WR corps that's led by Marvin Harrison and Michael Wilson.

The Cardinals finally address their defense after selecting offensive players with each of their first three picks. Proctor was a three-year starter at defensive tackle at Southeastern Louisiana, where he produced 24 tackles for loss and 15.0 sacks through 36 games in the Southland Conference. He didn't consistently face tough competition in the FCS, but he did notch 2.0 sacks in a game against LSU in 2025. Proctor will turn 22 years old Sunday and has the athleticism — he ran a 4.79 40-yard dash at 291 pounds — to develop into a starter on the Cardinals' defensive line.

The Cardinals were looking to add a quarterback in the draft after cutting 2019 first-overall pick Kyler Murray, and Arizona has opted to go with Beck with the first pick of the third round. Beck was a full-time starter in each of his last three years in college, wrapping up his career by leading Miami to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, ultimately falling short to Fernando Mendoza and Indiana. Beck was an All-ACC Third-Team selection in 2025, when he completed 72.4 percent of his passes for 3,813 yards, 30 touchdowns and 12 interceptions over 16 games. He has an NFL-ready 6-foot-4, 233-pound frame, and Beck looked more comfortable out of the pocket and with his reads as he progressed in his college career, but he did run into some inconsistencies in throwing the deep ball and doesn't sling the ball as hard as other quarterbacks. He also had turnover issues in college, something he'll need to clean up if he wants to succeed at the NFL level. Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew are the top QBs on Arizona's depth chart, but Beck may have the opportunity to compete for the starting job during the offseason program and training camp.

Bisontis (6-foot-5, 315 pounds) was a three-year starter at Texas A&M, boasting rare starting experience for a soon-to-be 22-year-old, and he could challenge Isaiah Adams for the starting RG gig early in his career. Arizona inked Isaac Seumalo to a three-year contract in free agency, solidifying the team's LG spot, so the selection of Bisontis further firms up the interior O-line to the benefit of No. 3 overall pick Jeremiyah Love.

Conner started all 45 regular-season games in which he appeared over the previous four seasons, but he'll have to battle for touches in 2026 behind Love, who is expected to immediately take over as the starter for the Cardinals following a stellar NCAA career at Notre Dame. The nearly 31-year-old Conner, who was limited to three appearances in 2025 by a foot injury, also will face competition for touches from free-agent addition Tyler Allgeier and Trey Benson (knee).

Love is expected to immediately ascend to the top of the depth chart for the Cardinals after racking up 2,497 rushing yards and 35 rushing touchdowns over the past two years at Notre Dame. Allgeier spent the past three years backing up Bijan Robinson in Atlanta, and Arizona's free-agent addition now will have to compete for carries with another top-10 draft pick. The Cardinals also have James Conner and Trey Benson (knee) on the roster, so even reaching last year's total of 157 touches could be tough for Allgeier if Arizona's backfield stays healthy.

Love (6-feet, 212 pounds) might not quite be on the level of recent blue-chip running back prospects like Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs, yet the former Notre Dame standout finds himself drafted earlier than either. With such mammoth draft capital invested the Cardinals are compelled to feed Love, but Arizona might also find itself with the most crowded backfield in the league. Power back Tyler Allgeier was added with a two-year, $12.5 million contract in free agency, and the duo of James Conner and Trey Benson remain third and fourth on the depth chart, for the time being. Love is an automatic big-play threat as both a runner and pass catcher, leveraging his 4.36 speed with elusiveness and power. The one question is how much of a workload Love can withstand, especially in terms of power running. Love is a bit upright for a running back and might lack the anchor to be a regular 20-carry running back. That Allgeier is around means the Cardinals won't need to overwork Love.

Per the report, the option calls for just over $19 million for the 2027 season, though it's possible that the Cardinals and the offensive tackle could reach an agreement on an extension before then. The No. 6 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft finished up the 2025 regular season on IR due to a knee issue, but has since had ample time to recover, which puts Johnson on track to be healthy the next time Arizona takes the field.

Mustipher is coming off a career year, having suited up for 15 regular-season games with Arizona in 2025. He totaled 32 tackles (11 solo) and one pass defensed in that span. Expect Mustipher to spend the offseason competing for a reserve role along the interior defensive line.

Karty will return to the Cardinals after the team poached him off the Rams' practice squad prior to Week 17 of last season. He suited up for eight regular-season games with Los Angeles in 2025 but struggled in that span, converting just 10 of 15 field-goal tries and 23 of 26 PATs. He'll provide Arizona with depth behind Chad Ryland at the kicker position this offseason.

Udoh appeared in all 17 regular-season games with the Titans last season, making three starts. The 29-year-old offensive tackle has made 74 career regular-season appearances across seven seasons, including 22 starts.

Quitoriano suited up for all 17 regular-season games with the Falcons in 2025, though he wasn't targeted once in that span. He will be a candidate to contribute on special teams and as a blocker on offense for the Cardinals in 2026.

Billings is a seasoned defensive tackle who played the past three campaigns with Chicago. He started all but three of the 42 regular-season contests in which he appeared during that span, though he could work in a rotational role with his new club. Billings totaled 31 tackles (including 1.0 sacks) during the regular season last year and had three stops during Chicago's divisional-round loss to the Rams.

Arizona was in need of depth at off-ball linebacker after releasing Akeem Davis-Gaither on March 5, and Gibbens has been tabbed as his replacement. While Gibbens started eight of his 17 regular-season appearances for the Patriots last year, he may not be assured a regular role off the bat with Mack Wilson (ribs) and 2025 fourth-round pick Cody Simon present on the roster. However, Gibbens tallied 81 tackles, including 1.0 sack, four pass defenses and one forced fumble in 2025, so production is possible if snaps ever come up for grabs.

Duvernay served as the Bears' primary returner on both kickoffs and punts. He returned 40 kickoffs for 1,069 yards (fifth most in the NFL) and 21 punts for 231 yards across 17 regular-season games in 2025. Duvernay is unlikely to see many snaps on offense in Arizona but should reprise his return role with his new team.

Fehoko suffered a season-ending wrist injury in Week 10 last season and missed the remainder of the 2025 campaign. A wide receiver by trade, Fehoko played just 37 offensive snaps across eight games but logged another 116 snaps on special teams. He'll compete for a roster spot this summer under new coach Mike LaFleur.

Pryor served mostly on special teams and in a depth role for the Eagles in 2025, though he did start at right tackle in Week 18 against the Commanders. The 2018 sixth-rounder's addition gives the Cardinals additional depth on the offensive line.

The veteran offensive lineman started all 17 games for the Falcons in 2025, and he has started 62 of the 96 regular-season games he's played in during his career. Wilkinson should have a chance to at least compete for a spot in Arizona.

The defensive end appeared in 15 games for the Saints last year, recording 18 tackles (eight solo), including 3.0 sacks. Williams was primarily a starter in 2023 with the Rams, but he has started only three games in the two seasons since then.

Thomas missed all of the Cardinals' 2025 campaign after tearing his ACL in late July, but it now appears he's moved past the injury. The UAB product appeared in all 17 games (15 starts) for Arizona in 2024, recording 47 total tackles, six passes defensed and one forced fumble. He's expected to compete for a starting spot in the Cardinals' secondary as the offseason progresses.