The Arizona Cardinals have begun their training camp a week sooner than most teams in the league. This early start is tied to their involvement in the Hall of Fame Game, which takes place in Canton, Ohio, as part of the Hall of Fame celebrations. The Cardinals' participation is especially meaningful this year because Larry Fitzgerald, a legendary figure in franchise history, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. His induction is a central highlight of the weekend, and the team's early camp aligns perfectly with the event.
Training camp is moving forward, and this year's session feels different compared to recent seasons. One significant change is that the team no longer has a defensive coach in charge. Instead, Mike LaFleur, who previously worked as the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, is now at the forefront. He's tasked with reshaping the Cardinals' offense to mirror those of the Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers, and Houston Texans, which all operated the same offense and managed to reach the playoffs last season. This approach has naturally brought a spotlight to the offensive unit during practice.
The defense has also made some progress but still has a few kinks to work out. A closer look at Wednesday's training camp session provided some key insights into the team's current state and how players are performing.
Carson Beck, the first-round rookie quarterback, delivered an impressive performance during Wednesday's training camp. His work in the two-minute drill stood out, particularly with his ability to place the ball in tight windows with precision. Beck had a standout moment with a touchdown pass that required little room for error, highlighting his strong arm talent. Despite being a rookie, he also demonstrated leadership by managing the huddle well.
However, Beck still has some habits to correct, including staring down his receivers. That said, his recent showing suggests he has the talent to possibly become the team's primary backup quarterback. If the Cardinals aren't achieving the results they need later in the season, it wouldn't be surprising to see Beck start games to accumulate valuable NFL experience. This could also help the organization evaluate his long-term potential and whether they'd consider him a viable option going into the 2027 NFL draft.
Starters and Alternatives Still Being Fined-Tuned
Starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett had a mixed performance. He looked solid on shorter passes, but his long-range throws were a concern as his accuracy was off. Brissett led a successful two-minute drill, though a contested pass interference call kept the drive alive. This saved the team from losing possession on downs.
Gardner Minshew had some positive moments with good accuracy, but his day was marred by a costly interception and a throw that went directly into the path of a defender. He remains in the competition for a backup role. Kedon Slovis, on the other hand, looks unlikely to earn a spot on the final roster. He is essentially competing for a position on the practice squad and hasn't received significant playing time.
Tyler Allgeier led the first-team running back group on Wednesday, stepping in for an injured James Conner. Allgeier performed exceptionally well in drills and is emerging as a reliable contributor for the offense. Rookie Jeremiyah Love also impressed with his quickness and agility, particularly when he was given space to operate.
Bam Knight showed enough promise on special teams to potentially earn a roster spot. Trey Benson has also been making an impact with his burst off the snap, including a notable run down the left sideline that demonstrated his consistency. Rookie Marvin Harrison continues to dominate in one-on-one situations, improving his route-running and overall physicality during camp.
Michael Wilson and Harrison have been a consistent duo in the receiving corps, showing strong chemistry with the quarterbacks, especially with Brissett. Both players continue to build on the success they had last year. Tight end Trey McBride is also a key target, with defenses forced to use a tall safety to cover him due to the lack of speed from most linebackers.