Rookie Jeremiyah Love looks the part of a star during Cardinals' first week of camp

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Jacoby Brissett had a lot on his mind during the first few days of the Arizona Cardinals' training camp considering the quarterback was mostly relegated to the sidelines while he waited for a new and improved contract for 2026.

Even with the stress and distractions, he couldn't help but notice how good rookie running back Jeremiyah Love looked.

“I see why we paid him $50 million — that's for sure,” Brissett said.

As the Cardinals rebuild under first-year coach Mike LaFleur, Love is a key piece to the future. The No. 3 overall pick in April's draft signed a fully-guaranteed $53 million, four-year deal earlier this summer and there's little doubt Arizona expects the former Notre Dame star to contribute sooner rather than later.

Love wouldn't have it any other way.

“It's an honor hearing that from Jacoby — a guy who has been in the league and started last season,” the running back said. "Guys are giving me a little bit of recognition and that comes from me going out there and being myself.

“It's always good to hear those types of things, but at the end of the day I haven't played a single game in the NFL. Lot of people can say good things, say bad things, but I've got to go out there and show them who I am as an NFL player now.”

The 6-foot-0, 214-pound Love has made a good impression in preseason practice, which has earned him continued repetitions with the team's starters.

He's part of a crowded Cardinals running back room that includes Tyler Allgeier, James Conner and Trey Benson.

“I've got to get a flow for how fast guys play, how fast they pick up on things,” Love said. “That's the thing I've got to get better at, which I am. Every day at practice I'm getting better, making better reads, making better plays.”

LaFleur hasn't shied away from saying that he believes Love has great potential, and his speed and shifty moves have been obvious during the first week of camp. But the coach is also cognizant he is still just 21 years old and might not be a superstar from Week 1.

“There's always going to be high expectations for high draft picks,” LaFleur said. “You name the position, everyone wants to see these guys be All-Pros right off the rip. I'm not really concerned about what he looks like (for the first game), I'm concerned about making necessary improvements from the first five practices going into practice six.”

If Love isn't quite ready to carry a heavy load in the Sept. 13 opener against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Cardinals have options.

Allgeier signed a $12.25 million, two-year deal in March and has a 1,000-yard season under his belt in 2022. The 31-year-old Conner missed most of last season with a foot injury, but had more than 1,000 yards rushing in both 2023 and 2024.

LaFleur said that he called both Allgeier and Conner after the Cardinals drafted Love to make sure they knew they were still valued.

“I do know this — not one running back can take all 65 snaps,” LaFleur said. “We've seen that story when guys are a little bit overloaded. ... You split those guys up to keep them fresh throughout the game and keep them healthy for 17 games.”

The low-key Love is a self-described nerd who loves video games, anime and is content to hang around his new house in the Phoenix area. After Friday's practice, he was looking forward to seeing “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” which is in theaters.

The transition from Notre Dame hasn't been a problem and Love says he's happy in his new home, even if the 115-degree days in the desert can get a little toasty.

“It's been pretty smooth for me," Love said. “I've got a crib now so I'm living the dream — it's a blessing to be in the NFL. I've always wanted to get here and now I'm here, so I'm enjoying every moment of it.”

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur speaks during a news conference at the NFL football team's training camp, Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) takes the snap during practice at the NFL football team's training camp, Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love, left, is stopped by Cardinals defensive lineman Andrew Billings during practice at the NFL football team's training camp, Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love adjusts his helmet visor during NFL football training camp, Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Beck, right, hands the ball off to Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love during NFL football training camp practice, Thursday, July 23, 2026, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson on Friday defended her decision to oust the city's police chief as the “right decision at the right time,” but she declined to explain why.

The leadership change came as police continue searching for people involved in a fatal, gang-related shootout at a food festival near the Space Needle last weekend. A 15-year-old was arrested at the scene and has been charged with assault, but charging documents say the gun he was seen firing wasn't involved in the deaths of two bystanders.

Wilson and then-Police Chief Shon Barnes faced criticism for being slow to release key information about the shootout on Sunday, including whether suspects remained at large.

Barnes, who was the city's second Black police chief, has been credited with boosting the recruitment of officers and helping reduce crime downtown. A number of Black community organizations, a major business group and several City Council members issued statements criticizing Wilson's decision to replace him Thursday.

At a news conference Friday with Andre Sayles, a Seattle deputy chief the mayor named as interim chief, Wilson credited Barnes for his service and said that as mayor she had a clearer window into the operations at the Seattle Police Department than her critics.

The lack of communication about a mass shooting at a major public event in Seattle was not the only reason she asked Barnes to resign, she said.

“There were multiple factors,” Wilson said. “The events of Sunday played into it.”

Sayles told the news conference the department would boost police staffing at public festivals for the remainder of the summer. He also said he believed investigators are close to finding and arresting additional suspects in the shootout.

The gunfire erupted in the waning hours of the Bite of Seattle, an annual three-day festival that draws hundreds of food and retail vendors and performers. Three people, including a suspect, were killed, and four people were wounded. One of the people injured was a 2-year-old boy.

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson holds a news conference to introduce Andre Sayles as interim police chief on Friday, July 31, 2026 in Seattle. (AP Photo/Manuel Valdes)

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson holds a news conference to introduce Andre Sayles as interim police chief on Friday, July 31, 2026 in Seattle. (AP Photo/Manuel Valdes)