Cardinals Tap Matt Schaub as QB Coach - A Veteran Voice for a Team Searching for Stability
The Arizona Cardinals are making a calculated move in the quarterback room - one that blends experience, resilience, and a deep understanding of the game’s most cerebral position. Former Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Schaub is set to become the team’s new quarterbacks coach under head coach Mike LaFleur, and while it might not be the flashiest hire of the offseason, it could be one of the most grounded.
Schaub brings 17 NFL seasons, two Pro Bowl nods, and a passing title to the table. He led the league with 4,770 passing yards in 2009 and was the engine behind Houston’s first playoff runs. But beyond the numbers, what Schaub really offers is perspective - the kind that comes from riding the full rollercoaster of an NFL career.
A Quarterback Who’s Been Through It All
Schaub isn’t coming in as a coaching lifer or a clipboard-holder with limited field experience. He’s lived it - from backing up Michael Vick early in his career to becoming the face of the franchise in Houston. He’s seen the highs of playoff runs and Pro Bowls, and the lows - including the infamous pick-six stretch that unfairly came to define his final days as a starter.
But here’s the thing: Schaub didn’t fold. He stuck around for seven more seasons after that rough patch, transitioning into a veteran mentor role with the Raiders, Ravens, and finally the Falcons before retiring in 2021.
That kind of staying power in the NFL doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because you know how to adapt, how to lead, and how to keep showing up - even when the spotlight dims.
That’s exactly the kind of presence Arizona needs in a QB room that could soon include a top draft pick or a veteran in need of a reboot.
The LaFleur Connection
This move isn’t happening in a vacuum. Schaub and Mike LaFleur have history - they were both in Atlanta in 2016.
That familiarity matters. LaFleur knows what Schaub brings to the table: a sharp football mind, a calm presence, and a deep understanding of the quarterback position within a West Coast system.
And that’s key, because Arizona is clearly shifting toward a Shanahan-style offensive identity. With Nathaniel Hackett calling plays and LaFleur steering the ship, the Cardinals are leaning into a scheme that values timing, rhythm, and decision-making over raw arm strength. Schaub thrived in that kind of system under Gary Kubiak - the same foundational scheme Arizona is building around now.
He’s not here to teach mechanics. He’s here to teach quarterbacks how to think - how to read leverage, anticipate windows, and understand the "why" behind every play call.
A Veteran Voice in a Rebuilding Room
Arizona’s quarterback situation is in flux. Whether the team rolls with a high 2026 draft pick or tries to salvage a veteran option, they’re going to need someone in the room who’s been there - someone who understands the pressure, the scrutiny, and the grind of learning how to win in this league.
Schaub fits that bill. He’s not just a former starter - he’s a survivor of the NFL grind.
He knows what it’s like to be the guy, to lose the job, and to fight his way back into relevance. That kind of empathy can go a long way with young quarterbacks trying to find their footing.
And while this is Schaub’s first official coaching role, he’s not walking in blind. He’s spent time as an analyst and has long been considered a cerebral presence in every locker room he’s been part of. Coaching was always a natural next step.
What This Means for Arizona
This hire won’t dominate headlines, but it checks a lot of boxes. Schaub brings credibility, experience, and scheme familiarity. He’s played in the system Arizona wants to run, and he’s got a track record of mentoring young quarterbacks from the backup role.
There’s always risk when a former player steps into a full-time coaching role for the first time. But in terms of floor, this is a high one.
Schaub knows the job. He’s lived the job.
And now, he gets to teach it.
If he can pass along even a fraction of the processing speed and poise that defined his peak years, the Cardinals' quarterback room will be better for it. In a league where coaching turnover is constant and quarterback development is everything, Arizona just added a steady hand to guide the most important position on the field.
In the heat of the desert, Schaub’s experience might be exactly what this team needs to cool the chaos and bring some clarity to the Cardinals’ long-term vision under center.