When a team wraps up a season at 3-12, it’s easy for the broader NFL audience to overlook any silver linings. But for those who stuck with the Arizona Cardinals through a tough year, there were real flashes of promise-especially on the offensive side of the ball. And at the center of that unexpected spark was veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who quietly put together one of the most productive seasons of his career.
Brissett, at 33 years old, completed nearly 65 percent of his passes, throwing for 3,366 yards and 23 touchdowns. That kind of output, especially behind an offensive line that struggled to keep him clean, turned some heads around the league. But it wasn’t just Brissett’s veteran savvy making it happen-it was also the work of the staff around him, including a young assistant coach who’s now drawing serious interest.
Connor Senger, Arizona’s pass game specialist, is on the radar of two playoff regulars-the Buffalo Bills and Green Bay Packers-both of whom plan to interview him for their quarterbacks coach opening. At just 30 years old, Senger has already logged three seasons with the Cardinals and recently took on play-calling duties at the East-West Shrine Bowl, a sign that his coaching acumen is gaining traction beyond Arizona.
What makes Senger’s rise noteworthy isn’t just his age or his résumé-it’s the context in which he helped deliver results. The Cardinals’ offense dealt with its fair share of adversity this past season.
Star rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. battled injuries, and while tight end Trey McBride put up historic numbers and Michael Wilson showed flashes, the overall offensive unit lacked consistency and protection up front. Despite that, Brissett delivered one of the best statistical campaigns of his career.
That kind of leap from a journeyman quarterback doesn’t happen in a vacuum.
It’s no surprise, then, that teams like the Bills and Packers are doing their homework. Buffalo is in the market for someone who can help Josh Allen fine-tune his already elite skill set, while Green Bay is looking to continue Jordan Love’s impressive development.
Both quarterbacks are franchise cornerstones. Neither has a true All-Pro wideout at the moment.
That makes the role of a quarterbacks coach even more important-someone who can bring schematic creativity and help elevate the passing game from within.
We’ve already seen Arizona’s former offensive coordinator Drew Petzing make the jump to Detroit to take on the same role with the Lions. Now Senger could be next in line for a promotion, and the opportunity to work with a top-tier quarterback could be the perfect next step in his ascent.
Of course, there’s still a question of sample size. Senger’s body of work at the NFL level is limited, and interviews with Buffalo and Green Bay will give those organizations a better feel for what he brings to the table.
Still, when a backup quarterback like Brissett outperforms expectations in a challenging environment, it forces teams to look deeper. Senger’s influence on that performance hasn’t gone unnoticed. Whether he ends up in Buffalo, Green Bay, or stays in Arizona as the Cardinals rebuild their coaching staff, his trajectory is clearly pointing up.
And if he does land with one of these playoff-caliber teams, don’t be surprised if he becomes a name we hear a lot more about in the coming seasons.