The Arizona Cardinals are bringing in a familiar face with a deep well of quarterback experience. Former NFL veteran Matt Schaub is expected to join the team as their new quarterbacks coach, stepping into his first official coaching role after a 17-year playing career. The move comes as new head coach Matt LaFleur continues to build out his offensive staff, and it signals a commitment to reshaping a quarterback room that’s very much in transition.
Schaub, now 44, spent nearly two decades in the NFL, most notably as the starting quarterback for the Houston Texans from 2007 to 2013. During that stretch, he earned two Pro Bowl nods and led the league in passing yards in 2009 - a season that showcased his ability to command an offense with precision and poise.
He also played a pivotal role in guiding the Texans to their first-ever playoff appearances in 2011 and 2012. That 2012 campaign, in particular, was a high point: Houston went 12-4 under head coach Gary Kubiak, though a late-season injury kept Schaub from starting the team’s first postseason game.
Schaub’s NFL résumé includes stints with the Raiders, Ravens, and a five-year run backing up Matt Ryan in Atlanta. It was in Atlanta where he first crossed paths with LaFleur, who was cutting his teeth as a young assistant coach. That shared history now comes full circle in Arizona, where Schaub will report directly to LaFleur and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.
The timing of Schaub’s arrival is significant. The Cardinals’ quarterback situation is anything but settled.
Former No. 1 pick Kyler Murray, once the face of the franchise, is reportedly being shopped, while veteran Jacoby Brissett remains under contract. That leaves the 2026 starting job wide open - and Schaub’s experience navigating both starting and backup roles could prove invaluable in mentoring whoever ends up under center.
Beyond Schaub’s hire, Arizona is retaining some continuity on its coaching staff. Defensive coordinator Nick Rallis will stay on after a tough 2025 season that saw the Cardinals finish 3-14, with a defense that ranked near the bottom of the league - 27th in total yards allowed and 29th in points surrendered per game. Still, Rallis has earned another year to develop a young unit that showed flashes of potential despite the rough numbers.
On the offensive line, Justin Frye is expected to return after his first year coaching in the NFL. The Cardinals’ line had its struggles, but there were some encouraging signs: the team ranked 21st in pass-block win rate and 15th in run-block win rate - not elite, but a solid foundation to build on.
As the Cardinals continue to retool under LaFleur, the addition of Schaub brings a fresh voice to the quarterback room - one who’s been in the fire, led playoff teams, and understands the grind of the position. It’s a new chapter for both Schaub and the Cardinals, and with the QB situation still up in the air, his presence could be a steadying force in what promises to be an offseason full of change.