Quarterback Gardner Minshew II said on May 27 that he is focused on preparing for his opportunity with the Arizona Cardinals, as he continues to work with the first unit during organized team activities while Jacoby Brissett remains absent from voluntary practices.
Minshew described reaching out to then-Senior Bowl coach Mike LaFleur in 2019 to get a head start on learning the offense, an effort that left a strong impression. “I didn’t know if it was going to be 20 minutes and I finally told my wife, ‘Cancel our dinner plans because he’s going to go for about four hours,'” LaFleur recalled Wednesday following the Cardinals’ OTA. Minshew said, “That was something I was telling the younger guys here, you really never know when those connections come around. At the time I was just trying to be more prepared for that game. It turns out it was a lot of the reason it got me the opportunity here. That’s awesome, man.”
Since signing a one-year free-agent contract in March, Minshew has been joined by third-round draft pick Carson Beck while Brissett seeks a reworked contract. When asked about potentially starting at quarterback, Minshew said, “I don’t know, man. I’m getting the reps I’m getting right now trying to do the best I can.” He added, “All you really have is the work you put in. At one point, somebody is going to be better than you and they are going to play, and at some point you’ll be the best guy in the room and you’ll get a chance to play. All you really have is the opportunity to work, get better, and enjoy the guys around you.”
Center Hjalte Froholdt commented on Minshew’s personality: “He’s come in with a great attitude,” Froholdt said recently on Arizona Sports. “He’s a salt of the earth kind of guy… He’s a good dude.” Minshew mentioned enjoying time outdoors in Arizona and spoke about his RV: “Aw man it’s got four wheels and a bed, man,” he said. “It’s ready to go.” He also referenced his unique style: when signed by Arizona he joked about washing his hair with “water and sunshine.”
Coach LaFleur highlighted authenticity within team culture: “I think what is good in the locker room is just authentically being yourself,” LaFleur said. Regarding Brissett’s absence from OTAs as well as linebacker Josh Sweat’s offseason training elsewhere amid trade speculation for Sweat, LaFleur said he had no concerns.
The Arizona Cardinals are based in Glendale where they host home games; they compete in football’s NFC West division serving greater Phoenix area fans as part of one of America’s oldest professional franchises, according to their official website.
