From Jacoby Brissett’s contract restructure to rookie standouts Jeremiyah Love and Devin Duvernay, here’s everything happening at Arizona Cardinals training camp ahead of the 2026 season.
Training camps have opened across the NFL, and Arizona’s version of the annual battle for roster spots is well underway at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. With the Cardinals and Carolina Panthers earning an early start to camp thanks to their spot in the Hall of Fame Game, Arizona has had extra practice time to sort out its quarterback room, evaluate breakout candidates, and figure out who’s fighting for one of the final roster spots.
The Quarterback Situation Takes Shape
All eyes at camp have been on how Arizona’s quarterback room shakes out following Jacoby Brissett’s return on a reworked contract. Brissett got his first look with the first-team offense during a padded practice, giving fans and coaches an early read on how the depth chart may settle heading into the regular season.
Rookie quarterback Carson Beck has also been a major storyline throughout camp, drawing attention from head coach Mike LaFleur during multiple sessions. Beck’s development has been closely tracked given the level of investment the Cardinals made in bringing him into the organization, and his performance in padded practices has offered an early glimpse of what his role might look like once the season begins.
Rookie Running Back Jeremiyah Love Turns Heads
One of camp’s most eye-catching plays came from rookie running back Jeremiyah Love, who showed off exactly the kind of pass-catching ability that made him a standout prospect. During an 11-on-11 session, Love lined up in the backfield before subtly shifting toward the slot at the snap, then used a sharp stutter step to leave second-year linebacker Cody Simon completely out of position. Love finished the play by cutting inside and hauling in a catch from quarterback Jacoby Brissett — a sequence that highlighted both his quickness and his instincts as a receiving threat out of the backfield.
Devin Duvernay Shows Receiving Upside
Return specialist Devin Duvernay has also impressed as more than just a special teams weapon this camp. During a second-team red zone drill, Duvernay caught a pass from quarterback Gardner Minshew on the right side, then abruptly stopped and reversed direction to shake his defender before finding the end zone. It’s the kind of versatility that could earn Duvernay a larger role on offense beyond his usual return duties.
Injury Watch: Ihmir Smith-Marsette
Not all the camp news has been positive. Wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette, who had quietly emerged as one of the surprise standouts of camp so far, left practice with a trainer and did not return. His status will be one of the key storylines to monitor as the Cardinals continue fine-tuning their receiver depth chart heading into preseason play.
Camp Timeline and Preseason Kickoff
Arizona and Carolina were the first two teams in the league to have their full veteran rosters report to camp, giving both clubs a head start ahead of their early preseason opener. The two teams squared off in the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, marking the official start of preseason action around the league.
With that game now behind them, the Cardinals will shift focus toward the first full week of preseason, which begins August 13. Between now and then, position battles across the roster — from quarterback depth to receiver competition to bubble roster spots — will continue to play out in daily practices at State Farm Stadium.
Why This Camp Matters
This year’s camp carries extra weight given the number of open questions surrounding Arizona’s roster. The quarterback competition alone has significant implications for how the offense is built heading into the season, while performances from rookies like Love and depth pieces like Duvernay could directly influence which players ultimately make the 53-man roster. For fantasy football players specifically, camp standouts like Love and Duvernay are worth tracking closely, as breakout roles established now often carry meaningful weight once the regular season begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is competing for the Cardinals’ starting quarterback job in 2026? Jacoby Brissett, who re-signed on a reworked contract, has been working with the first-team offense, while rookie Carson Beck and veteran Gardner Minshew are also part of the quarterback competition heading into the season.
Q: Which rookie has stood out most at Cardinals camp? Running back Jeremiyah Love has drawn significant attention for his pass-catching ability and quickness, highlighted by a standout play where he shifted from the backfield to the slot before making a defender miss.
Q: Why did the Cardinals start training camp earlier than other teams? Arizona and Carolina were selected to play in the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, which requires both teams to report to camp about a week earlier than the rest of the league.
Q: Is Ihmir Smith-Marsette injured? Smith-Marsette left a recent practice with a trainer after emerging as one of camp’s early standouts. His full injury status has not yet been confirmed.
Q: When does the Cardinals’ preseason schedule continue? Following the Hall of Fame Game, Arizona’s first full week of preseason games begins August 13.
