Cardinals Expected To Add Matt Schaub As QBs Coach

The Cardinals are expected to hire Schaub as their quarterbacks coach, CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reports. This would be a big step for Schaub, who has not previously held a position coaching role. He served as a Falcons staff analyst in 2023.

This would place Schaub just behind LaFleur and OC Nathaniel Hackett in the pecking order among offensive coaches in Arizona. This has been the offseason of backup QBs receiving promotions, as David Blough, Davis Webb and Sean Mannion are now OCs. Schaub spent quite a bit more time in the NFL than that trio, serving as the Texans’ starter for seven seasons. But he both opened and closed his career as a Falcons backup. The latter stay came with LaFleur breaking into the coaching ranks.

Schaub, 44, played 17 NFL seasons. He was part of a key trade sequence in 2007, being dealt from the Falcons to the Texans in a pick-swap deal that brought Atlanta two second-rounders. That trade occurred months before Michael Vick‘s dogfighting scandal, leaving the Falcons scrambling at QB. Schaub, meanwhile, enjoyed a few good years in Houston. He made two Pro Bowls, including an original-ballot honor in 2012, and guided the Texans to their first two playoff berths (2011, 2012). While a late-season injury prevented Schaub from starting Houston’s first playoff game, he piloted the 2012 team to a 12-4 record under Gary Kubiak.

Hitting a wall in 2013, Schaub ended up benched during a 2-14 Texans season. The Texans traded him to the Raiders in 2014, and he spent one season in Baltimore before a five-year Falcons stretch closed his career. LaFleur was in place as a Falcons offensive assistant in 2016, overlapping with Schaub.

It is not known if Schaub will be coaching Kyler Murray in 2026. While the seven-year Cardinals starter is still rostered, trade plans are in the works after Arizona shut down the former Pro Bowler last season. Jacoby Brissett is still under contract, and a Murray trade/release would almost definitely mean a search for another starter-level QB. LaFleur, Hackett and Schaub will be in charge of that room in 2026.

In addition to the Schaub move and the rumored plan to retain DC Nick Rallis, the Cardinals (per Zenitz) are planning to keep Justin Frye in place as offensive line coach. Gannon hired Frye last year; he spent the previous three seasons as Ohio State’s O-line coach. Frye coached left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. with the Buckeyes and Cardinals. He enjoyed a previous stint as UCLA’s OC under Chip Kelly. The Cardinals ranked 21st in pass block win rate and 15th in run block win rate last season, Frye’s first in the NFL.