Arizona bets on former Pro Bowler Matt Schaub. Can his "seen-it-all" perspective ignite the Cardinals' passing game and finally guide them North?
The desert heat just got a little more interesting. In a move that feels equal parts nostalgic and experimental, the Arizona Cardinals, led by new head coach Mike LaFleur, are reportedly hiring former Pro Bowler and Houston Texans Quarterback, Matt Schaub as their quarterbacks coach.
On paper, the resume is sparkling with 17 seasons, two Pro Bowls, and a 2009 passing title where he threw for nearly 4,800 yards. But in the court of public opinion, Schaub often carries the "pick-six" stigma of his final year in Houston. If we look past the memes, however, this hire might be the most "pro-ready" move the Cardinals have made in years.
Why Experience Matters (Even the Bad Kind)
The NFL is currently obsessed with "bridge" coaches. These are the types of players who haven't been out of the huddle so long that they’ve forgotten what a 280-pound defensive end sounds like charging at them. Schaub fits this mold perfectly.
- He’s seen the spectrum: Schaub wasn't a blue-chip savior. He was a 3rd-round pick who sat behind Michael Vick, became a franchise cornerstone in Houston, and eventually transitioned into a sage veteran backup in Atlanta.
- The LaFleur Connection: Schaub and Mike LaFleur crossed paths in Atlanta in 2016. LaFleur knows exactly what kind of football IQ he’s getting.
- Empathy for the "Yips": If the Cardinals draft a young QB in 2026 (or try to salvage a struggling veteran), they need someone who knows how to bounce back from a slump. Schaub lived through the most public slump in NFL history and didn't crumble. He really did push through all the rough plays and seasons to continuing on and stayed in the league another seven years.
The Offensive Identity Shift
With Nathaniel Hackett as Offensive Coordinator and LaFleur at the helm, the Cardinals are clearly leaning into the Shanahan-style West Coast system. Schaub played his best football under Gary Kubiak, a mastermind of that very scheme.
Bringing in a guy like Schaub isn't about teaching someone how to throw a spiral; it's about teaching them how to process the 'why' behind the play-call.
Acquired from the Atlanta Falcons in a 2007 trade that involved swapping first-round picks. Schaub played 7 seasons (2007–2013) for the Houston Texans, appearing in 90 regular-season games with a 90.9 passer rating.
He threw for 23,221 yards, 124 touchdowns, and 78 interceptions during his time with the Texans. A two-time Pro Bowler (2009, 2012), he led the NFL with 4,770 passing yards in 2009. During his tenure, he was a key part of the Texans' first-ever playoff runs.
After leaving Houston, Schaub served as a backup with the Raiders and Ravens before returning to the Falcons, retiring in 2021.
The Verdict: A High-Floor Hire
Is there risk? Of course. This is Schaub’s first official coaching gig after a stint as an analyst. But in a room that likely includes a high 2026 draft pick and a roster desperate for stability, Schaub’s "seen-it-all" perspective is invaluable. The amount of knowledge he can offer future quarterbacks is worthy to note.
The Cardinals are hiring a survivor of the NFL grind. If he can pass even half of his 2009-era processing speed to his pupils, Arizona's passing game might finally find its ray of sunshine in the desert heat.