Cardinals end minicamp with a clean bill of health

TEMPE – The Arizona Cardinals will enter training camp on July 22 in good shape after wrapping up their final day of minicamp. As the Cardinals prepare for the NFL Hall of Fame Game against the Carolina Panthers in Canton, Ohio on Aug. 6, coach Mike LaFleur gave his team a clean bill of health. 

“The fact that we got out 100% clean yesterday was (our) first and foremost priority,” said LaFleur, who canceled the final day of camp on Wednesday before addressing local media. “I absolutely hate this practice … you know it’s the end of camp.”

Despite that sad coaching reality, LaFleur expressed excitement about playing in the NFL Hall of Fame Game and how it affects the season calendar for his team. 

“We’re going to be able to put our pads on, and some teams are just going to be reported,” he said. “That’s going to be awesome.”

A week after the Cardinals open the preseason in Canton, they travel to Las Vegas and face the Raiders. They will then host the Cowboys before concluding their preseason against Mike’s older brother, Matt LaFleur, who is the coach of the Green Bay Packers. 

As a rookie head coach, Mike LaFleur is excited for the additional opportunity, not only for himself, but for his staff. 

“I think having the first-year head coach being in the Hall of Fame game get that extra week is absolutely net positive for us,” he said. 

However, LaFleur and his staff have enough NFL experience to feel well prepared for the season. 

“We’ve been in this long enough to know how to operate, but it is a new staff, and that’s what the preseason is for, so they get one extra crack at it,” he said. 

Throughout LaFleur’s short time with the team, he said he has already learned a lot about the unit as a whole. 

“I think they’re a mature team,” he said. “I think they’ve put in a lot of work. I think there’s been a good foundation set.”

Despite continued uncertainty regarding the quarterback position in the wake of Kyler Murray’s departure, LaFleur said he is more focused on the team as a whole. 

“Not really concerned about QB1 right now,” he said. “Concerned about these guys all reporting on July 22 (for the first day of training camp).”  

The Cardinals drafted University of Miami QB Carson Beck in the third round (No. 65) of the 2026 NFL Draft. They also have veterans Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew on the depth chart so competition is on the field every day. 

“I think it’s been ramped up,” LaFleur said. “I mean, every single day’s updated, whether it’s OTA. The intensity should not change from OTAs to training camp.” 

Even so, LaFleur was adamant that final evaluations are still in the future. 

“Naturally and physically, the intensity picks up because they have pads on,” he said. “You can actually play football, but (it’s) too early.”

The Cardinals announced some positive injury news for fourth-year cornerback Garrett Williams, who suffered an Achilles tear that ended his 2025 season. LaFluer said the rehab window has shrunk. 

“It was like an October, November thing, and now we are talking about getting him in training camp,” the Cardinals coach said.

LaFleur came over from Arizona’s NFC West Division rival, the Los Angeles Rams, who were coming off an NFC Championship Game appearance while he was the offensive coordinator under Sean McVay. 

Last season, the Cardinals were tied for the worst record in the league, but LaFleur said the gap isn’t as big as it seems. It can be closed by focusing on the details. 

“You got to play the right way,” he said. “You got to play good football. You got to play tough. You got to show up and find a way within the three and a half hours.” 

He also emphasized a good mentality when stepping onto the field. 

“I do believe (it’s) just like in any other sport, when you’re confident and you take the field confident,” he said. “I don’t know if they didn’t last year, but I do believe this team is going to work and believe.”

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