Gardner Minshew stepped onto the field for the first time this season, chucked three touchdowns, and rallied his team to an improbable 33-30 overtime victory against the Cowboys on Sunday. But even after all that heroics, Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur is playing coy, refusing to commit to Minshew as his starting quarterback for Week 9. Talk about a head-scratcher!
The Spark That Became a Firestorm
LaFleur pulled Jacoby Brissett with just 1:35 left in the third quarter. The Cardinals were down a rough 17-3, and LaFleur said he needed “a spark.” Well, Minshew didn’t just deliver a spark, man, he ignited a whole firework show. He turned that game around completely. The Cardinals hit paydirt on Minshew’s first four possessions! That’s not just luck, that’s clutch execution and some serious moxie.
Minshew’s Electric Debut
Minshew’s stat line for his debut? A cool 17-of-23 for 188 yards and those three critical touchdowns. LaFleur even gave him props, saying Minshew “did a good job,” extended plays, and had “great timing.” LaFleur added that Minshew is “about as resilient as they come” and “ready at all times,” crediting the guys for making plays and Minshew for getting the ball out. Pretty glowing review for a guy who just won you a game.
The Non-Decision That’s Wild
So, you’d think that kind of performance, that kind of clutch play, would make the decision for the next starting QB a no-brainer, right? Apparently not for LaFleur. He’s still mum, saying he’s “made no decisions” about the starting quarterback for next week. LaFleur acknowledged the “story is going to be” about the QB choice, and that Brissett knows it too, but he tried to brush it off as a “collective” effort. But come on, the numbers don’t lie. Minshew was *the* difference-maker.
So, the QB drama for the Cardinals rolls on. Who lines up under center next week for their Week 9 matchup is still up in the air. You gotta wonder how long LaFleur can keep this going before he just has to roll with the hot hand.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
Leave a Reply