Cardinals bring in former NFL QB Byron Leftwich as coaching intern

The Arizona Cardinals have added a former NFL quarterback to their coaching ranks.

Byron Leftwich, who spent nine seasons in the NFL, most notably playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers, has joined the Cardinals as a coaching intern and is assisting with the team's young quarterbacks during rookie minicamp.

"I love the game," Leftwich said, according to Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site. "This is just the next transition from player to coach and (head coach Bruce Arians) allowed me to come down and be a part of it. I'll take advantage of it, and we'll see."

Leftwich's role will extend through training camp, with the possibility of the team keeping him on beyond that.

"After that, we'll see," Arians said. "Hopefully I can keep him all year. I think he's got a great, bright future in coaching."

After beginning his career as the starter in Jacksonville, the former first-round pick became one of the league's most reliable backups, winning a Super Bowl ring with the Steelers during the 2008 season.