Veteran QB Gardner Minshew emerges as starting option for rebuilding Cardinals

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Journeyman quarterback Gardner Minshew dropped back a few steps and then flipped a quick pass to rookie first-round pick Jeremiyah Love, who was cutting across the back of the end zone.

The Arizona Cardinals expect Love to catch those same touchdown passes during the regular season.

In a more surprising development, it might be Minshew who will be throwing them.

The 30-year-old Minshew has had an opportunistic streak over a seven-year NFL career, taking advantage of injuries and other circumstances to make 47 career starts for five different teams.

Now in the desert, he's got another chance to earn playing time, joining a rebuilding franchise in its first season under coach Mike LaFleur.

“With every room you step in, you’ve got to go in and earn the respect of the guys,” Minshew said on Wednesday after the Cardinals' voluntary workout. “I think that’s been a fun challenge. It’s been awesome to be greeted here the way I have. It’s been awesome blending with this offense and team.”

Minshew will be competing with Jacoby Brissett, Kedon Slovis and third-round pick Carson Beck for the starting job. The 33-year-old Brissett figured to have the inside track after throwing for a career-high 3,366 yards in 12 starts last season, but he hasn't been at voluntary workouts while he seeks a restructured contract.

That's given Minshew — known for his affable, laid-back personality — a head start on learning LaFleur's offense.

“What you see from him every single day is his love of the game, love for the locker room, love for football in general,” LaFleur said. “Gardner is very confident and comfortable with who he is, just like a ton of our guys. That's really all you want of people in that locker room or people in general.”

The Cardinals finished 3-14 last season, but have multiple intriguing playmakers on offense, including All-Pro tight end Trey McBride and receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson. Then there's Love, who was taken with the No. 3 overall pick out of Notre Dame in April.

Minshew was a sixth-round pick in 2019 out of Washington State, where he learned under coach Mike Leach. He had his best NFL season in 2023 when he was a Pro Bowl selection for the Indianapolis Colts after throwing for 3,305 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions over 13 starts.

Minshew compared LaFleur's offense to Leach's “Air Raid” approach because it's built around making quick reads and precise throws. The quarterback first met LaFleur when he was preparing for the Senior Bowl in the pre-draft process for 2019.

The two hit it off— talking for hours about football. Seven years later, that connection helped bring them together in Arizona.

“The reason this (offense) does so well is it thrives off complementary looks and simplicity with the illusion of complexity through motions and similar formations,” Minshew said. “We really don’t do a ton off each look, but just enough to put a seed of doubt.

“The idea is we’re going to get really good at what we do. It gives the players a ton of confidence when we say ‘Hey, we’ve got these things, this is what we're going to do, it's your job to make it come to life.' I think we've got the guys to do that."

Minshew served as Patrick Mahomes' backup last season with the Kansas City Chiefs. He got a chance to play late in the season after Mahomes suffered a season-ending ACL injury, but Minshew had a left knee injury against the Tennessee Titans in his first start that ended his season.

Now he's got another chance with the Cardinals.

Whether it's as a starter or a backup, he's ready for whatever comes.

“At some point, someone’s going to better than you and they’re gonna play,” Minshew said. “At some point, you’ll be the best guy in the room and you’ll get a chance to play. All you really have is your opportunity to work and get better and enjoy it with the guys around you."

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Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride participates in the NFL football team's practice, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) participates in the NFL football team's practice, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort, left, head coach Mike LaFleur talk during the NFL football team's practice, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Gardner Minshew participates in the NFL football team's practice,, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Gardner Minshew participates in the NFL football team's practice, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Former NL MVP outfielder Andrew McCutchen was designated for assignment by the Texas Rangers on Wednesday, after he hit .192 in his 37 games.

The 39-year-old McCutchen was replaced by free agent infielder Nicky Cruz in a move spurred by the lingering absences of shortstop Corey Seager and second baseman Josh Smith. Seager is out with lower back inflammation, and Smith still hasn't rejoined the team since a stint in the hospital with viral meningitis.

“Certainly respect to Andrew, what he’s accomplished, not only in this game, but more importantly, who he is as a person,” president of baseball operations Chris Young said. “It’s been wonderful having him around, but we’re at a point where given the injuries on the left side of the infield, middle infield specifically, that we’re thin and so Nicky gives us another option and provides some versatility.”

The 31-year-old Lopez, who signed a major league contract, has played in 693 big league games over parts of eight seasons with five teams. The left-handed hitter was designated for assignment by the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. Lopez was in the lineup Wednesday night against Houston, batting ninth and playing second base.

McCutchen had two doubles, one home run and five RBIs with Texas, with 21 of his plate appearances coming as a pinch hitter. Those were the most at-bats as a pinch hitter for any MLB player this season.

The Rangers have seven days to trade, release or outright McCutchen to the minor leagues.

McCutchen played the past three seasons for Pittsburgh, the club that drafted him in the first round in 2005 and promoted him in 2009 for his major league debut. McCutchen played his first nine years in MLB with the Pirates, making five straight All-Star teams and winning the 2013 National League MVP award while becoming one of the most popular players in that franchise’s history.

He then bounced around with four other teams between 2018 and 2022 before reuniting with the Pirates. He played in 135 games last year, hitting .239 with 13 homers and 57 RBIs before becoming a free agent.

He is a career .271 hitter with 333 homers, 1,157 RBIs and 220 stolen bases in 2,299 games.

“I played against him during his MVP season,” Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said. “I know who this guy is and I got to know him even better this year. Those are not easy, but part of the game. He was a pro and understood.”

Seager is doing moderate baseball activity, but there is no timeline for his return. The two-time World Series MVP, including with the Rangers in 2023, has been eligible to come off the 10-day disabled list since Monday.

Smith had been on the IL since May 5 with a right glute strain when the Rangers announced May 15 that the 28-year-old would be hospitalized at least a week after feeling ill and getting the diagnosis of meningitis. Young said Smith could rejoin the club Thursday.

“We’ll be able to evaluate where he is from a strength standpoint,” Young said. “The physical toll that it's taking on him and what the buildup is going to be, I can't answer yet. But he’s healthy. We’re very grateful to the doctors and the medical staff that treated him and took great care of him.”

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Texas Rangers designated hitter Andrew McCutchen flies out against Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Kyle Freeland in the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 20, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Texas Rangers' Andrew McCutchen flies out against Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jose Quintana in the first inning of a baseball game Monday, May 18, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)