LaFleur unfazed by Brissett’s absence from spring workouts

Brissett has skipped the first two phases of voluntary spring work and remained away as the Cardinals opened organized team activities.

That is not nothing. He is also seeking a contract adjustment, which makes this more than a simple attendance note.

Still, LaFleur’s public tone has been calm for a reason. Asked where things stand with Brissett, he said: “We’ve had contact, I’ll leave it at that.”

That line was short, but it told the story. Arizona is not pretending the situation does not exist, but LaFleur is also not giving it more oxygen than it deserves in May.

The more important point came in how he framed Brissett’s football readiness. LaFleur said the veteran has “done probably everything we’ve ever done schematically”.

That is why this should be treated as quarterback management, not quarterback panic.

Jacoby Brissett has earned the benefit of the doubt

Spring work matters. It helps timing, communication, and command of a new operation. But all absences are not equal. A young quarterback missing these reps would be a different story.

Brissett is not that kind of player. He has been around the league long enough to understand protections, huddle operation, install language, and weekly adjustment.

His career profile backs that up. Brissett has 65 career regular-season starts, which gives LaFleur a sensible basis for patience.

That does not mean the Cardinals should be indifferent. It means they can separate the contract issue from the football issue.

Brissett missing voluntary work while seeking a better deal is not ideal. It is also not the same as a rookie falling behind before training camp.

Carson Beck and Gardner Minshew can make this useful for Arizona

The upside for Arizona is simple. While Brissett is away, Carson Beck and Gardner Minshew are getting action. That is useful work for both quarterbacks.

Minshew gives the Cardinals another experienced option who can absorb meaningful practice volume. That helps LaFleur keep the offence moving while Brissett handles his business.

Beck is the more interesting part of the equation. Arizona selected him as a third-round pick, which makes every spring rep valuable.

He does not need to be rushed. He does need to be evaluated. That is where Brissett’s absence can quietly help the Cardinals. Beck gets more live installation work, more coaching, and more chances to show how quickly he processes an NFL offence.

Those reps would not carry the same value for Brissett. They can carry real value for Beck.

The Cardinals should treat this as quarterback management, not a crisis

Arizona’s quarterback room is not simple, but it is useful. Brissett gives the Cardinals veteran stability. Minshew gives them another experienced passer. Beck gives them a developmental option with draft investment.

That mix requires balance. LaFleur’s job is to keep the group moving without letting a voluntary absence become the dominant story of the spring.

So far, his stance is exactly right. He has acknowledged contact with Brissett, pointed to the quarterback’s experience, and let the available players take the reps.

The Cardinals should still want Brissett back sooner rather than later. Contract storylines do not get better when they drag deeper into the offseason.

But in football terms, this is manageable. Brissett has the background to catch up, and Arizona has enough quarterback depth to turn his absence into useful evaluation time.

That makes LaFleur’s calm approach reasonable. The Cardinals do not need to spin this as a positive, but they also do not need to treat it like a problem yet.