Who’s our next qb?

[Gandhi]

There are two problems with over drafting a QB:

1. He is projected later for a reason. He isn’t considered as sure a bet.

Sure. Projected by Mel Kiper, Daniel Jeremiah and friends. And the “sure bet draft prospect” doesn’t exist.

But if you take him with the third pick you’re likely sticking with him at least two years. Which means you forego QBs the next season when they may be better. If you blew it on him you’ve set your timeline back more because you’re not trying to find his replacement yet.

Yes, but that is only a problem if he doesn’t pan out. If he fails, and if next year’s draft is better QB-wise, then yes, your point makes sense. All of that is speculation, though, and from that perspective you could also argue that if he pans out, no draft pick will ever be too high for him.

2. And while you’re doing that you’re missing talent at other positions. And if you blew it over drafting him you missed out on other talent and then having to double down on that issue by having to draft another QB high, thereby missing out on additional elite talent at other positions. Snowballing the dearth of talent on the team.

Again, yes, I agree, but if you draft a quarterback at #3 overall it is obviously not with the plan that he fails. If you do in fact think that you could get him with a later pick, then yes, it is bad tactics to take ham as early as possible.

 

[slanidrac16]

Ugh. Gifted runner with a decent arm is a downgrade from Kyler.

He has 2 career games with more than 200 yards passing, and one of those is only by 2 yards. He has a 6/3 career TD/INT ratio.

He's shown absolutely nothing in the league and this is all massive conjecture based off a couple of decent games he had for the Packers.

What did Rodgers show before they moved on from Favre.
What did Love show before moving on from Rodgers?
It both situations many were predicting doom.
A lot can be learned on the bench. He’s been sitting within The Packers LaFleur system. If the Packers ML endorses Willis I highly doubt he would stick it to his brother.
Also I doubt the Packers are going to pay Willis top dollar to sit.

 

[Harry]

My point is the worst move to make is one that connects you to an underperforming yet higher paid QB over multiple years. We have tried that and it doesn't work well.

Again, what’s your preferred solution?

 

[Harry]

Ugh. Gifted runner with a decent arm is a downgrade from Kyler.

He has 2 career games with more than 200 yards passing, and one of those is only by 2 yards. He has a 6/3 career TD/INT ratio.

He's shown absolutely nothing in the league and this is all massive conjecture based off a couple of decent games he had for the Packers.

You’re totally disregarding his college career. He passed for 5,186 yards, 47 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions, while rushing for 2,131 yards and 27 touchdowns. That he went nowhere with the Titans was expected. While Liberty is not a well known program, they were ranked and wins included Syracuse and Virginia Tech. I still come back to the GB opinion being critical.

 

[football karma]

Ugh. Gifted runner with a decent arm is a downgrade from Kyler.

He has 2 career games with more than 200 yards passing, and one of those is only by 2 yards. He has a 6/3 career TD/INT ratio.

He's shown absolutely nothing in the league and this is all massive conjecture based off a couple of decent games he had for the Packers.

two paths for the Cards at QB:

1. known performers in the NFL: Kirk Cousins, Jimmy G, Derek Carr. You know the floor, you know the (low) ceiling.

2. Projections. Any QB you draft, and , Malik Willis. If you are going to project a QB in the NFL, I think it would be easier basing it on watching him in actual NFL games, even if its only 85 attempts in (effectively) 4 games in the last two years.

 

[HerefortheCards]

two paths for the Cards at QB:

1. known performers in the NFL: Kirk Cousins, Jimmy G, Derek Carr. You know the floor, you know the (low) ceiling.

2. Projections. Any QB you draft, and , Malik Willis. If you are going to project a QB in the NFL, I think it would be easier basing it on watching him in actual NFL games, even if its only 85 attempts in (effectively) 4 games in the last two years.

I’m thinking they are going to take someone like Carson Beck in the 4th round. Maybe the kid from LSU, I’m not going to try and spell his name. Lol

 

[Chopper0080]

Again, what’s your preferred solution?

It all depends on the contracts which is what makes it tough.

In 2025, Willis at 1.29 per year was great. I don't think anyone is getting Willis for under 10 mil in 2026. If I am wrong, he would be a really good option.

Kirk Cousins in 2025 was 45 mil apy. That's bad. Cousins at 15 mil is great imo.

It would be easy to go Wacco for Flacco if you paid him the 4.25 mil he made in 2025. Is he willing to battle for a spot with Brissett? You could easily draft a QB in rounds 2-4 with those two on the roster.

Pretty much every option that isn't a 3 year deal at 30+ mil and a guy who can execute MLFs offense is a solid option for what this team's goals should be. The Cardinals are basically looking for the equivalent of Brock Purdy to execute this offense. Quick mind, Good enough arm. Grinder. Decent size 6'1+. Decent mobility. Tough.

These are the prototypes who have been successful under Shanahan/McVay

Jared Goff
Jimmy G
Kirk Cousins
Brock Purdy
Matt Stafford
Sam Darnold

 

[BritCard]

Neither of those guys are available. LeFleur, as a decent HC, should be able to provide competent inside info. I’m just not in favor of writing off 2026, which would be the only outcome from the other options. What’s you plan to get a QB? Sign one of the broken down statue-like relics available in FA? Play Brissett who’s failed for 20% of the NFL franchises? I just don’t see the strategy option?

Signing Malik Willis is writing off the season.

There is absolutely nothing in evidence that says otherwise.

 

[BritCard]

the Malik Willis sample size from GB is small, but its also really, really good.

IF the Cards sign him, it means MLF got a really good reco from this brother

I am less concerned about the headline $ of a contract (within reason) and more about the cost of getting out of it after 2 years.

It wasn't "really, really good". They were similar to an average Kyler Murray start, maybe worse. Certain worse than peak Kyler.

What would be the point of cutting Kyler and eating a bunch of dead cap to sign worse, less experienced but younger Kyler?

There's a huge difference between spot starting with no pressure on you and being the guy week in, week out and being paid to be the guy.

Everyone has lost their damn minds. Has this fan base not had enough Kevin Kolbs? You guys would have been giving Mike White $25m in the 2023 offseason.

 

[BritCard]

What did Rodgers show before they moved on from Favre.
What did Love show before moving on from Rodgers?
It both situations many were predicting doom.
A lot can be learned on the bench. He’s been sitting within The Packers LaFleur system. If the Packers ML endorses Willis I highly doubt he would stick it to his brother.
Also I doubt the Packers are going to pay Willis top dollar to sit.

Well, they showed everything at practice to enable the people that employed him to be comfortable that they could start. And they were drafted to start.

Malik Willis is a failed QB cut by the team that drafted him that had one good start in the last year (on paper) in a game where the Packers got boat raced by the Ravens. In a game they were down 2 scores half way through the 2nd quarter he still only made 21 pass attempts.

You want to bin Kyler for worse Kyler.

And there is no "LeFleur system". Mike's scheme will be very different from Matt's scheme.

 

[BritCard]

You’re totally disregarding his college career. He passed for 5,186 yards, 47 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions, while rushing for 2,131 yards and 27 touchdowns. That he went nowhere with the Titans was expected. While Liberty is not a well known program, they were ranked and wins included Syracuse and Virginia Tech. I still come back to the GB opinion being critical.

Yes, I am totally disregarding his completely irrelevant college career after 4 years in the NFL in which he has shown absolutely nothing.

In exactly the same way that I disregard Evan Neal, Treylon Burks or Jahan Dotsons college performances.

 

[BritCard]

two paths for the Cards at QB:

1. known performers in the NFL: Kirk Cousins, Jimmy G, Derek Carr. You know the floor, you know the (low) ceiling.

2. Projections. Any QB you draft, and , Malik Willis. If you are going to project a QB in the NFL, I think it would be easier basing it on watching him in actual NFL games, even if its only 85 attempts in (effectively) 4 games in the last two years.

I'd rather keep Kyler than sign crappier Kyler. I'd rather start Brissett.

Malik Willis falls into group 1 of your options except he's worse than all the guys you listed. I've watched Willis play actual NFL games and he has far more bad ones than he has good ones. Paying some career backup starter money based on 1 good start and one mediocre start, neither of which were better than average Kyler Murray, is absolutely loser Org actions.

And frankly I'm astounded so many fans here are arguing for more of the same crap. "Please sir, give me some more Kevin Kolb and Derek Anderson".

If you want to take a flyer on a QB then just draft one. No need to waste time and money on a backup that has shown next to nothing in the league.

 

[Harry]

It all depends on the contracts which is what makes it tough.

In 2025, Willis at 1.29 per year was great. I don't think anyone is getting Willis for under 10 mil in 2026. If I am wrong, he would be a really good option.

Kirk Cousins in 2025 was 45 mil apy. That's bad. Cousins at 15 mil is great imo.

It would be easy to go Wacco for Flacco if you paid him the 4.25 mil he made in 2025. Is he willing to battle for a spot with Brissett? You could easily draft a QB in rounds 2-4 with those two on the roster.

Pretty much every option that isn't a 3 year deal at 30+ mil and a guy who can execute MLFs offense is a solid option for what this team's goals should be. The Cardinals are basically looking for the equivalent of Brock Purdy to execute this offense. Quick mind, Good enough arm. Grinder. Decent size 6'1+. Decent mobility. Tough.

These are the prototypes who have been successful under Shanahan/McVay

Jared Goff
Jimmy G
Kirk Cousins
Brock Purdy
Matt Stafford
Sam Darnold

Who would you draft at QB if you go that way and what round would you spend on them? Looks like the most sign-able of the list above is Jimmy G if he can hold up physically.

 

[Harry]

I’m thinking they are going to take someone like Carson Beck in the 4th round. Maybe the kid from LSU, I’m not going to try and spell his name. Lol

I hope not Beck. I don’t see him doing well under NFL-level pressure. Nussmeier is likely the best affordable QB but I’m hearing most think he’s second round. That makes it harder to fix the Oline. ESPN speculated today that they keep Murray. It wouldn’t let me grab the link but it’s on NFL front page team summaries.

 

[slanidrac16]

Well, they showed everything at practice to enable the people that employed him to be comfortable that they could start. And they were drafted to start.

Malik Willis is a failed QB cut by the team that drafted him that had one good start in the last year (on paper) in a game where the Packers got boat raced by the Ravens. In a game they were down 2 scores half way through the 2nd quarter he still only made 21 pass attempts.

You want to bin Kyler for worse Kyler.

And there is no "LeFleur system". Mike's scheme will be very different from Matt's scheme.

Okay.

 

[Chopper0080]

Who would you draft at QB if you go that way and what round would you spend on them? Looks like the most sign-able of the list above is Jimmy G if he can hold up physically.

There are a couple who seem to it the profile. I think the class is a bit different if you view it from the 2024 lens vs 2025 lens.

Ty Simpson tho he doesn't have the games played experience.

Grant Nussmeier has some tools but I don't know that he can hold up physically.

Klubnik has a quick release and a ton of starts. I don't know that he was getting the best QB coaching at Clemson.

Luke Altmyer has some juice. I think he played ok against some very good teams. I don't know about his arm and how it translates.

I think most of these guys are players you draft to be your future backup QB with hopes maybe the lottery ticket hits. The plan has to be to draft a QB in 2027 but no reason to not use a mid round pick on one of these guys that MLF likes.

 

[TheCardFan]

I think most of these guys are players you draft to be your future backup QB with hopes maybe the lottery ticket hits. The plan has to be to draft a QB in 2027 but no reason to not use a mid round pick on one of these guys that MLF likes.

100% agree

Outside of Mendoza, there isn't another QB that should be starting in 2026 for any team.
They are all projects.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Gandhi]

What exactly have you seen from Malik Willis that makes you want to pay him $25m a year to start?

Very little, but what I have seen has been encouraging, and he easily has the most upside of any potential options other than buying someone.

I am sticking to my guess that Garoppolo will be the week one starter, but if I had my will, going with a QB with such a high ceiling as Willis would give me the most excitement going into next season. Sure, it might fail miserably, but it might also make the Cardinals relevant again.

To me, whatever LaFleur wants, I am cool with. And if he points at Willis, after getting every possible inside detail from his brother, I am board with that, especially if it is a relatively short contract.

 

[Gandhi]

Signing Malik Willis is writing off the season.

There is absolutely nothing in evidence that says otherwise.

I find it strange that you don't see how those two statements contradict each other. I mean, unless you can provide surefire evidence that says you are right, of course.

It's called projections.

 

[azgreg]

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[football karma]

It wasn't "really, really good". They were similar to an average Kyler Murray start, maybe worse. Certain worse than peak Kyler.

in GB:

70/89 passing, 10.9 per attempt (!), for 972 yards, 6 TDS, 0 ints. Added 261 yards rushing + 3 TDs. Nearly all of this was in 4 games.

if thats an average Kyler start, he would have a couple MVPs at this point

 

[slanidrac16]

Very little, but what I have seen has been encouraging, and he easily has the most upside of any potential options other than buying someone.

I am sticking to my guess that Garoppolo will be the week one starter, but if I had my will, going with a QB with such a high ceiling as Willis would give me the most excitement going into next season. Sure, it might fail miserably, but it might also make the Cardinals relevant again.

To me, whatever LaFleur wants, I am cool with. And if he points at Willis, after getting every possible inside detail from his brother, I am board with that, especially if it is a relatively short contract.

Well said.

 

[slanidrac16]

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Where does this stuff come from? “Cards could decide to trade McBride”.
Just dumb when there’s nothing else to talk about.

 

[azgreg]

Where does this stuff come from? “Cards could decide to trade McBride”.
Just dumb when there’s nothing else to talk about.

Football has the longest off season. Column inches need to be filled.

 

[JosiahLee]

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If I’m Monti, and my job is on the line, this isn’t the move I’m making.