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

(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. 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.” Love makes good first impression 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 prac…