Defensive Collapse Overshadows Preseason Finale
The Arizona Cardinals' 34-13 preseason loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday exposed defensive depth issues that threaten to undermine the team's offseason gamble at quarterback, according to Yardbarker.
Arizona's defense surrendered 413 total yards, 23 first downs, and 34 points despite facing Dallas' backups. The Cowboys' offense performed efficiently, with Joe Milton III completing 9 of 13 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing score. Dallas averaged 9.9 yards per pass attempt and 7.1 yards per play, while Arizona gave up 175 rushing yards on 34 carries. The Cowboys converted six of ten third-down attempts and scored on three of six red-zone trips.
Head coach Mike LaFleur did not mince words after the game. "It was the culmination of our week. We had a sloppy week of practice," LaFleur said. "This, tonight, was a summary of that week in general."
Quarterback Conundrum Deepens
The loss amplified questions about the Cardinals' decision to overhaul their quarterback room. According to Yardbarker, the Cardinals released Kyler Murray in March, absorbing approximately $55 million in dead salary cap space. They signed Jacoby Brissett to a contract guaranteeing $15.5 million, with incentives potentially reaching $21 million.
Brissett's 2024 season with the New England Patriots included 3,366 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions, though he posted a 1-11 record in his starts. Against the Cowboys, Gardner Minshew completed 19 of 23 passes for 177 yards, though he threw an interception after receiver Simi Fehoko slipped on his route. The Cardinals finished with 325 total yards and controlled possession for over thirty minutes.
Meanwhile, rookie third-round pick Carson Beck sits behind Brissett and Minshew on the depth chart. Heavy.com reported that Beck has missed the last two preseason games with a rib injury sustained on a third-down scramble in the Hall of Fame game. LaFleur provided an update after the Dallas game, saying, "Good with the throwing session, still TBD in terms of what Friday would look like."
Beck's Recovery and Development
Beck had a throwing session after Arizona's August 20 practice but was ruled out for the Dallas game. LaFleur said Beck is a "tough dude" who "battled through it for three or four practices before the discomfort became so real that it just wasn't worth it."
The coach acknowledged the challenge of development without practice time. "You get better at football by practicing and playing football," LaFleur said. "So when you're not out there, it's hard to get better." LaFleur declined to specify the team's plan for Beck this season.
In his absence, Brissett has played one drive, Minshew has played into the third quarter of the previous two games, and Kedon Slovis has closed out all three preseason games, as reported by Heavy.
The Cardinals will travel to Green Bay for joint practices with the Packers, where LaFleur's brother Matt serves as head coach. What role Beck might play in those sessions remains unclear.