Cardinals to hire Matt Schaub as quarterbacks coach
The Arizona Cardinals are set to add former NFL quarterback Matt Schaub to their coaching staff as quarterbacks coach. The move reunites Schaub with a familiar face on the sideline and immediately raises questions about the club’s direction at the position as it prepares for a roster reset.
Veteran signal-caller brings extensive playing résumé
Matt Schaub entered the NFL as a third-round pick in 2004 and spent the early part of his career backing up Michael Vick. He carved out a longer run after being traded to Houston before the 2007 season, ultimately starting 93 games and throwing for 25, 467 yards, with 136 touchdowns and 91 interceptions during an NFL career that stretched through the 2020 season. Schaub earned two Pro Bowl nods and led the league in passing yards in 2009 with 4, 770 yards.
Coaching transition follows recent analyst work
Following his playing days, Schaub moved into broadcast and analyst roles, spending time as a team analyst in 2023 before returning to his alma mater to work in a similar capacity. That television and college experience is likely to inform his initial approach as a position coach while he transitions into a full-time NFL coaching role.
Familiar connection to head coach Mike LaFleur
Schaub’s hiring carries an element of continuity: Mike LaFleur and Schaub were on the same organizational staff during Schaub’s stint in Atlanta. That prior overlap provides a ready-made rapport between the head coach and his new quarterbacks coach, which can accelerate installation of offensive concepts and communication with the quarterbacks room.
Immediate implications for the quarterback room
The Cardinals enter this offseason expected to overhaul their quarterback situation. Schaub will inherit a room that could look very different by the time training camp opens, and his early priorities will likely include evaluating current options, establishing fundamentals within the offense and helping shape the development plan for whoever wins the job. The team’s decision at the position will determine how Schaub’s role evolves, from developing a young passer to refining a veteran’s game.
What Schaub brings and what to watch next
Beyond statistical credentials, Schaub brings experience navigating highs and lows—leading a franchise to its first playoff appearances, posting a league-leading passing season, and enduring difficult stretches later in his Texans tenure. That full-spectrum perspective could prove valuable mentoring pro and collegiate players adjusting to a new offensive scheme. Expect the organization to clarify its quarterback plan in the coming weeks as front-office decisions and possible roster moves shape the scope of Schaub’s responsibilities.
The club’s formal announcement is expected to follow, with the hiring first noted on Feb. 12 (ET). As the Cardinals assemble their staff and roster for the upcoming season, Schaub’s transition to coaching marks a notable first step in a broader offseason overhaul at the position.
