Arizona Cardinals delay Jeremiyah Love pick due to wrong phone number

The Arizona Cardinals had the wrong phone number for top prospect Jeremiyah Love, causing a delay in their NFL Draft selection. This is a rare logistical error in the draft.
By Newsroom | Sports, NFL |

Communication Fiasco Delays Arizona's Selection of Jeremiyah Love

The Arizona Cardinals experienced a peculiar snag during the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday, with a seemingly mundane error delaying their selection of touted Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. General Manager Monti Ossenfort revealed that the team possessed an incorrect phone number for Love, a detail that led to an unexpected hold-up as they were on the clock with the third overall pick.

The critical fact is that the Cardinals possessed the wrong contact information for Jeremiyah Love, which directly impeded their ability to finalize his selection on draft night.

Draft Night Shenanigans

While many observers speculated that the Cardinals might be engaged in trade discussions for the third pick, Ossenfort clarified that the delay stemmed purely from a logistical misstep. "If you want me to tell you the honest-to-god truth, we had the wrong phone number," Ossenfort stated post-draft. The initial attempts to connect with Love were met with failure due to this incorrect contact detail.

Read More: Joel Embiid Out for 76ers Game 3 vs Celtics

The acquisition of Love was apparently a predetermined plan for the Cardinals, who had identified him as their top running back prospect. This offseason, the team had already bolstered its running back corps by signing Tyler Allgeier in free agency and retaining James Conner and Trey Benson. Love's addition was intended to immediately solidify Arizona's depth at the position.

Love's Numbers and the Cardinals' Priorities

Love's collegiate performance at Notre Dame showcased significant potential. Over his final two seasons, he amassed 1,248.5 rushing yards and 17.5 touchdowns per season, maintaining an impressive 6.9 yards per carry. Furthermore, he contributed 258.5 receiving yards annually, demonstrating his versatility. The Cardinals' focus on strengthening their running back unit this offseason underscores their commitment to building a more potent offensive ground game.

The Misdialed Connection

Ossenfort elaborated that the incorrect number was provided to the team, leading to the "technical difficulties" that held up the process. Once the proper digits were obtained and Love was reached, it was confirmed that the Cardinals were not close to trading the pick, despite the unusual communication hurdle. This incident, while resolved, presents a curious footnote to what was otherwise a strategic draft decision for the Cardinals, highlighting how even seemingly minor administrative errors can create significant disruptions in high-stakes environments.

Read More: NFL Draft Day 2: Teams Pick Players in Rounds 2 and 3 in Pittsburgh

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did the Arizona Cardinals delay picking Jeremiyah Love in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Cardinals had an incorrect phone number for Jeremiyah Love, which caused a delay in their selection process. This was a logistical error and not due to trade talks.
Q: What was the impact of the wrong phone number on the Cardinals' draft?
The incorrect contact information meant the team could not immediately reach their top running back prospect when they were on the clock. This led to an unexpected hold-up in finalizing their pick.
Q: Who is Jeremiyah Love and why did the Cardinals want him?
Jeremiyah Love is a highly-touted running back prospect from Notre Dame. The Cardinals identified him as their top prospect at the position and wanted to add him to their already strengthened running back group.
Q: Did the Cardinals trade their pick because of the phone number issue?
No, General Manager Monti Ossenfort confirmed that the delay was purely due to the incorrect phone number. The team intended to select Love and was not close to trading the pick.
Q: What are Jeremiyah Love's stats?
In his final two college seasons, Love rushed for 1,248.5 yards and 17.5 touchdowns per season, averaging 6.9 yards per carry. He also added 258.5 receiving yards annually.