Matt Schaub might be on the verge of trading his headset in the broadcast booth for a clipboard on the sideline - and while that may come as a surprise to many, it’s not entirely out of left field when you look at his journey.
The former NFL quarterback, best known for his Pro Bowl years with the Houston Texans, is reportedly drawing interest as a potential quarterbacks coach in the NFL. According to reports, the Arizona Cardinals are eyeing Schaub for the role - a move that would reunite him with head coach Mike LaFleur. The two crossed paths back in 2016, when LaFleur was an offensive assistant in Atlanta and Schaub was backing up Matt Ryan.
Now, the idea of Schaub stepping into a coaching role might raise some eyebrows, especially considering his limited experience on the sidelines. He spent the 2023 season as an analyst with the Falcons and has most recently been in the broadcast booth calling games for the University of Virginia, his alma mater. But while his coaching résumé is thin, his playing career speaks volumes.
Schaub played 17 seasons in the NFL, appearing in 155 games and starting 93 of them - the bulk of those starts coming during a productive run with the Texans. In 2009, he led the league in passing yards.
In 2012, he guided Houston to a 12-4 record and a playoff win. That’s not just solid quarterbacking - that’s leadership experience at the highest level, and it’s exactly the kind of credibility that can translate well into a coaching role.
Though many remember Schaub as a career backup, he spent time learning behind some big names - Matt Ryan, Derek Carr, Joe Flacco, and Michael Vick among them. That’s a masterclass in quarterbacking just from being in the room. And while his own production dipped late in his career, largely due to injuries and some decision-making struggles, the knowledge he absorbed over nearly two decades in the league is invaluable.
The Cardinals’ interest in Schaub suggests they see that potential. Coaching is often about communication and leadership as much as it is about X’s and O’s, and Schaub brings a wealth of experience from both sides of the quarterback spectrum - from starter to backup, from Pro Bowler to mentor.
It’s also worth noting that this isn’t the first time his name has surfaced in connection with a QB coaching role. There was some buzz around him as a possible candidate for the Falcons’ opening before that job went to Alex Van Pelt. While that didn’t pan out, it may have opened the door for other teams to take a closer look.
At 44, Schaub is still young in coaching years, and if he does land in Arizona or elsewhere, don’t be surprised if he climbs the ladder quickly. Former quarterbacks often make strong coaches - especially those who’ve seen the game from multiple vantage points, and Schaub checks that box in a big way.
So while Matt Ryan is making headlines for his front-office leap in Atlanta, his former backup might be carving out a new path of his own - this time, from the sideline. Keep an eye on this one.