Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon crossed paths with quarterback Jacoby Brissett with the Colts when he was the defensive backs coach in Indianapolis from 2018-2020 and Brissett was there from 2017-2020.

After another solid performance by Brissett in Saturday’s forgettable loss to the Denver Broncos, Gannon was asked Monday what stands out about the quarterback and if anything has changed in the ensuing five years.

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Said Gannon, “The thing that’s not different is he’s a pro, man. Like he does a lot. He prepares the way you should prepare. He sees a lot. He’s very knowledgeable. Where I probably didn’t have my eye on it as much in Indy because I had my head down doing my own thing where I kind of have a little bit more of a bird’s-eye view (here) is the type of teammate that he is.

“He and Kyler (Murray) have a really good relationship, but just him and his teammates and asking questions and trying to get better. He’s got a really good command on that, too, which is good.”

Being a good teammate is something the Cardinals emphasize, which was why his response was predictable when asked if that was considered before he was signed this offseason: “Anybody that we acquire that’s one of the first things we talk about.”

As for the relationship between Murray and Brissett, Gannon said, “That’s probably a better question for those two, but I just think the back and forth of talking through plays and what (offensive coordinator) Drew (Petzing) is saying, what Iz (quarterbacks coach Israel Woolfork) is saying, what they see schematically (from) defenses, what they’re trying to accomplish, what they’re trying to do.

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“It’s good back and forth. They’re two smart, really smart players so when you have that, the conversations are next level.”

Kyler and MHJ

The connection between Murray and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is always a subject of discussion, so Gannon was asked Monday if he’s pleased with the progress of the duo’s communication.

“I am,” Gannon said. “I am. I think it’s further along than, when we ended the year, which is good. I think it’s further along right now than what OTAAS look like, even the first part of camp. I like where that’s trending and I’m excited about it.”

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Gannon took a deep dive talking about what it takes for a quarterback to have trust and for him to be on the same page as his receivers.

He said, “I was talking to somebody yesterday about from a quarterback standpoint of how it’s downplayed and then talking with our coaches about this and I was like, ‘Is this true?’ I never played the position. I never coached the position. So, how guys come out of breaks affects the efficiency of when you’re throwing it to him, and I always thought, well, if he’s supposed to come out of his break at 14 yards and it’s a 90-degree break or a 45-degree break or whatever that looks like.

“Just the quarterback feeling and seeing and then is he on air or is there a body on him? How is he going to come out of it? All those different things. It’s fascinating. It really is. So I think honestly those guys getting in the lab together and then reps have helped them play a little bit better.”

Gaines still growing

Offensive lineman Jon Gaines II seems to have quietly solidified a spot as one of the team’s backup offensive linemen. Gaines missed his rookie season in 2023 because of a torn ACL and is now two years removed from the injury.

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A thumb injury prevented him from sliding to center from right guard when rookie Hayden Conner suffered a knee injury Saturday, but his cast is expected to come off this week, which will enable him to snap.

“He’s resilient, man. He really is,” Gannon said. “He puts a lot into his craft. He’s A-plus-plus character. He’s tough as nails and he’s one of the smartest guys we got in that room. So (with) his value of being able to play multiple positions and things like that, I feel good about him where his game’s at right now.”

Benson’s ascent

Second-year running back Trey Benson has solidified his role as the team’s No. 2. The fascinating question is how much he’ll play behind workhorse James Conner.

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Gannon noted Benson’s improvement from his rookie season.

He said, “In the game because it’s hard to fully evaluate what I’m going to say until the game, but I thought on game day he finished runs better and he was more decisive. So I know his skillset’s there, but just the details of where his eyes are, his tracks, I think that got better. I think the play speed was better. Just the decisiveness and finishing runs, I thought he took a jump.”

As for the rest of that room, productive Michael Carter might be on the outside (practice squad) looking in once again thanks to Emari Demercado’s ability as a pass protector and the special-teams prowess of DeeJay Dallas.

Still, Gannon appreciates a lot about Carter.

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“He loves ball. He loves to compete,” Gannon said. “Loves to practice. Always got a smile on his face. He’ll do whatever you tell him to do. He’s a really good teammate too and he’s a guy that throughout his career and specifically I’ll say the time that he’s been here with us is he maximizes his opportunities.”

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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: What Jonathan Gannon said about the offense