Matt Schaub has joined the Arizona Cardinals as quarterbacks coach, the team announced on June 1. After a 16-season playing career in the National Football League, Schaub said he previously declined coaching offers to spend more time with his family but recently decided to pursue a coaching path.
Schaub said, “It was tough, because I love all those guys and I had to tell them no.” He began reaching out to contacts in December and ultimately connected with Mike LaFleur, who was assembling a staff in Arizona. “It was always, ‘Man if he ever wants to coach,'” Mike LaFleur said, “I know Kyle has always tried to get him to coach there. It never timed up there or timed up in Green Bay. Luckily it timed up for us. I actually got the call from my brother that Matt wanted to coach, and it was like, ‘Wow, I hit the jackpot.'”
The quarterback room features Jacoby Brissett seeking a reworked contract and absent from voluntary work; Gardner Minshew II taking first-team snaps during organized team activities; Kedon Slovis entering his third season; and rookie Carson Beck drafted in the third round. The Cardinals have not named a starting quarterback for the upcoming season.
Schaub said his advice for players facing speculation is: “Block it all out… You tell the guys, ‘nothing outside is going to affect how you play except your performance and your preparation.'” With 93 starts over 155 appearances and three seasons surpassing 4,000 passing yards as an NFL quarterback, Schaub brings experience but maintains humility: “I’m not entitled to anything.” Slovis praised Schaub’s insight: “He played the position… He’s a rolodex of information.”
Schaub emphasized his approach as he transitions into coaching: “I don’t want to be the stereotypical former player that is doing this just because they think they can,” he said. “I want to be the best quarterback coach that I can.” The Arizona Cardinals are based in Glendale and serve the greater Phoenix area as members of the NFC West division; they are recognized as one of professional football’s oldest franchises and captured an NFC championship in 2008, according to their official website.
