Mike LaFleur stands pat as Cardinals weigh Carson Beck

One day after Detroit hung 45 on them in Glendale, the Cardinals' first-year head coach was asked whether anything is about to change. His answer was no.

Bo Brack

@BoBrack

“If I felt like changes were needed, for us to help us win this week, then I'm going to do that.” Arizona Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur on not making a changes amidst a 4 game losing streak. t.co/dmkvkp7xyt

That's the stance LaFleur is taking: no changes to play-calling and no changes to personnel, on offense or defense. That takes nerve after a 45-21 loss to the Lions that dropped Arizona to 1-4. The Cardinals have now allowed 37 points per game over the 4-game slide, and they've lost 9 straight at home, which is a streak that goes back more than a year. Jacoby Brissett was not the problem Sunday. He went 29-of-47 for 292 yards with 3 touchdowns and 1 pick. His record as Arizona's starter is still 2-15, though, and that number keeps pulling everyone's attention to the rookie.

The rookie is Carson Beck, a third-round pick who has sat 3rd on the depth chart behind Brissett and Gardner Minshew. Against the Lions he was inactive and listed as the emergency 3rd quarterback, so he could only play if both veterans went down. When LaFleur was asked about moving Beck up to backup, which would make him eligible to actually play on Sunday, he said that conversation hasn't happened yet. He also told reporters when it will.

Bo Brack

@BoBrack

“Haven’t had those discussions. We’ll end up having that discussion tomorrow at about noon.” Arizona Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur says the team has not yet discussed having Carson Beck active on Sunday. t.co/VhXQJCYSGw

So the meeting is Tuesday around noon. Promoting Beck to QB2 isn't a benching, but it's a real step. Once he's active, all it takes is a bad first half from Brissett and a coach who's had enough. It would also give Beck his first real chance at game action after a rookie camp that a rib injury cut short. LaFleur has already shut down the full QB switch twice. He said a flat 'No' after the 36-24 loss to the Giants, and after the Lions game he said he has 'way too many other things that I need to correct right now.' The backup spot looks like the middle ground he can live with.

Outside the building, people are tired of waiting. Former Cardinals GM Steve Keim said publicly he would walk into the head coach's office and tell him Beck is starting this week. LaFleur's argument for staying the course is that the results look worse than the team actually is.

Bo Brack

@BoBrack

“It doesn’t look like we’re close after yesterday, but we were 12 feet away the week before.” Coach Mike LaFleur on why the Arizona Cardinals aren’t making sweeping changes despite their recent struggles. t.co/Sp37jWqSeH

That's the case for patience, and it's a hard one to make with a straight face after the Lions put up 7 straight scoring drives. 'Close' doesn't count for much at 1-4. Pay attention to whether Beck is wearing a helmet on Sunday or still standing on the sideline as the emergency QB, because that's the first sign of how long LaFleur's patience is going to last.