While Love said everything right about his goals, he admitted he’s still chasing individual honors just like he did at Notre Dame. The difference though is just wanting to win them as part of a bigger team effort.
“That’s the way I’ve always been,” Love said. “Never been the type to set myself, I’ve always been the type to set goals, but they’ve always been connected to the team in some way. Like last year, I wanted to win the Doak Walker Award in college, wanted to win the Heisman, but those things weren’t going to happen unless I did what I had to do for my team and play my role for the team, so I’d go in the hands of the team.
“At the end of the day, it’s a team sport. You can’t do anything by yourself, especially as a quarterback. You’ve got to have a good line, you’ve got to have a quarterback who can read defenses and see things, and you’ve got to have receivers who can take the top off to lighten up the box, too. Everything goes hand in hand, so I try to make it personal, it’s all team, because everything is good. sometimes you’re going to do good, too.”
An obvious question is under center, where the Cardinals have a trio of quarterbacks on the roster. Each could realistically see the field in 2026. Jacoby Brissett is expected to emerge as their starter, but that doesn’t mean Gardner Minshew and rookie Carson Beck won’t get some reps as well, especially if Arizona struggles in its first year under LaFleur.
Regardless of whether they admit it, Love’s choice was made with this in mind. If Arizona is going to insulate itself from quarterback-related disasters, it needs to surround the designated signal-caller with talented playmakers.
McBride, Harrison, Love and receiver Michael Wilson form a respectable quartet of playmakers. If Love fills a Robinson-like role, expect him to emerge as the most important of the four.
“As far as numbers go, nothing is easy,” Love said. “The way I think about it now, I’m going to earn every yard I get, every touchdown I get. In college, both years I started, I scored 20-plus touchdowns a year. I haven’t seen what that looks like in the NFL. I don’t think a lot of guys probably score that many touchdowns, but that’s the standard that I’ve worked up and hopefully I’ve put in and I’ve put in the effort. discipline, but as far as the numbers, I try not thinking about them or I try not to put specific numbers, then I’m not making it too personal.
“Like I said, it’s all about the team. If you make sure you’re contributing to the team, those things will come, and the awards will come, and the awards will come, and the All-Pros will come. All that stuff will come as long as you’re keeping everything team-oriented and you’re playing for your guys.”