Head coach Jonathan Gannon chose Jacoby Brissett over the former No. 1 pick. And while he set a new record for the most completions in a game and whatnot, the team hasn’t been any better with him.

As a matter of fact, numbers show that giving Brissett the nod has done little to help the Cardinals’ case. If anything, it may have actually hurt their chances of competing at the highest level, as shown by team insider Kyle Odegard.

Cardinals insider reveals the harsh truth of team with Jacoby Brissett

“Cardinals are now 0-5 with a -75 point differential since naming Jacoby Brissett their starting quarterback,” Odegard wrote on X.

Of course, it’s not all on the quarterback. This is a team effort, and Brissett’s underlying metrics aren’t that bad. Even so, it’s clear that Kyler Murray may not have been the one to blame.

Most reports agree that Coach Gannon is going to return for a third year in charge of the team. But with Murray most likely gone, he may have to find a new scapegoat.

This appears to be an imminent divorce between the Cardinals and Murray. On Friday, the Cardinals officially announced that Murray won’t play again this year. The contract situation states that the Cardinals owe Murray $39.8 million fully guaranteed for next season.

NBC News reported that if Murray stays on the roster for the fifth day of the 2026 league year, the Cardinals would owe $19.5 million more to the quarterback. Hence, the Cardinals need Murray to be healthy before the day the guarantee vests. This is key because if he isn’t healthy, they can’t save that money.

Jacoby Brissett hasn’t been as big of a downgrade

Brissett has played very well this season to be fair. Even if the team isn’t winning, Brissett has not been the one to blame. He is completing 67.5% for 2,188 yards and 13 touchdowns and four interceptions.

The Cardinals need to solve their quarterback situation not because Brissett is bad, but because they need an elite talent. Brissett’s downfall is that everybody knows his ceiling, he won’t take the franchise to new heights. To be fair though, Murray has failed to do that as well.

This has happened for four-straight years

In 2022, the Raiders shut down Derek Carr to minimize future financial commitments, In 2023, the Broncos did the same with Russell Wilson and last year, the Giants did it with Daniel Jones. This is the fourth year in a row where a team sits a quarterback in hopes of saving money.

A trade also remains possible but that would mean the Cardinals would have to pay a big part of the $39.5 million that Murray would earn in 2026. Instead, they would rather cut him, which would allow him to sign a veteran minimum contract while the rest of the money is paid by Arizona.

If Brissett ends up being injured, the Cardinals have Kedon Slovis as the third option on the roster. He would be the only one able to step into that role if the team’s current quarterback can’t return to the game or misses any of the upcoming weeks.

Kedon Slovis lacks the experience to be the starter, but as the only option, and considering he is new to the NFL, the Cardinals will likely use him in a season that has gone poorly for the franchise, where little can be done now to save the year.

Brissett outperforms Kyler Murray

With the Cardinals sitting at 3-8 this season, playoff contention is largely irrelevant. However, analysts are closely examining what Brissett has been able to accomplish in a short time, statistically outpacing Kyler Murray through their respective first five-game stretches this season.

As of November 17, Brissett’s Cardinals stats stood at 1,570 yards, 10 TDs, 3 INTs, 7.4 YPA, and a 99.0 Rating. In comparison, through a five-game sample this season, Murray recorded only 1,262 yards, 6 TDs, 3 INTs, 6.0 YPA, and an 88.6 Rating. Even though Brissett played against some weaker defenses, like the Cowboys’, he still performed better.

The Cardinals are in a situation where they must preserve their backups carefully, as Murray has been largely unavailable in two of the last three seasons, playing only 8 games in 2023 and just 5 games this year. Only in 2024 was he able to play 17 full games by remaining healthy.

Monti Ossenfort, the franchise’s General Manager and one of the main voices on player matters, spoke to the press on Friday and made his stance clear regarding what will happen with the team’s top QB once he’s fully recovered.

“When we put a guy on IR, that’s four weeks away,” Ossenfort said, via ArizonaSports.com. “A lot of things can happen between now and then. I think Jacoby has done a great job of leading our offense. We’re expecting more of the same moving forward. But Jacoby’s put himself in a good spot for where we’re going offensively. When Kyler gets healthy . . . we’ll assess when we get to that point.”

The Arizona Cardinals‘ General Manager also added that the team is “gonna do everything we can to get him in a good spot to help us out come later in the season once he’s completely healthy.”

Brissett earns his spot

Veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett has officially seized the starting role for the Arizona Cardinals, earning the job through sheer performance after stepping in for the injured Kyler Murray. Brissett has provided a massive spark for the offense, showcasing a high level of efficiency and command.

Over his starts, he has consistently posted a completion percentage over 65% while keeping turnovers to a minimum, often boasting a passer rating well above 100. His reliable, veteran presence and impressive statistical output were simply too compelling for the coaching staff to ignore, making the QB change permanent for the Cardinals.

What injury does Kyler Murray have?

The Arizona Cardinals have officially placed franchise quarterback Kyler Murray on Injured Reserve due to a persistent mid-foot injury suffered in Week 5. The move sidelines the former number one overall pick for at least four games as he continues his rehabilitation.

While the injury is reportedly not season-ending, the decision to move Murray to IR has fueled speculation about his long-term future with the team, particularly with backup Jacoby Brissett delivering strong performances in his absence.

The question on everyone’s mind now is: what will happen when Murray is fully back to 100%? Will he reclaim the starting role, or has Brissett won the job with his strong performances?

For now, the only one with the answer is the Cardinals’ head coach. When asked by the media about the team’s future starting quarterback, he was unequivocal: Kyler Murray is the starter.

“Nothing’s changed on that,” Gannon said. “That’s how I feel.” Faced with persistent questions from the media, the head coach made it clear that he had nothing further to add on the matter. “I’ve got nothing to add on that, guys. Like I said, nothing’s changed, guys.”

A standout performance

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett delivered a stellar performance last night on Monday Night Football, leading his team to a crucial 27-17 upset victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

Filling in for the injured Kyler Murray, the veteran signal-caller went 21-for-31 for 261 yards and connected for two passing touchdowns, while also adding a crucial rushing touchdown in the red zone.

Brissett’s sharp play and 115.1 passer rating not only snapped the Cardinals’ five-game losing streak but immediately intensified questions about who will be the starting quarterback once Murray is healthy.

What’s Kyler Murray’s current status?

Kyler Murray continues to be sidelined by a nagging mid-foot sprain suffered back in Week 5. Despite initial optimism that he would return for MNF against the Cowboys, Murray was ultimately inactive, delaying his highly anticipated comeback.

Coach Jonathan Gannon stated that the foot injury was simply “not healthy enough to go.” The team is now reportedly targeting Week 10’s game against the Seattle Seahawks as the next potential opportunity for the franchise quarterback to make his return to the lineup.

Even though he still has a lot to prove, Maye can start calling this his team. With that confidence around him, the quarterback also dares to let the franchise know there’s a certain player he’d like to have on the Patriots next season.

During a recent appearance on the “Green Light” podcast with Chris Long, Maye heaped massive praise on fellow quarterback Jacoby Brissett, a player he’d like to continue having as teammate for another year.

“I think for me, having him there and learning how he prepared, how he handled guys in the locker room, when he stood up to say things in some meetings and when he didn’t, and when it wasn’t a good break out of the huddle in a play in practice, he’d bring the break back. And little things like that, you take on for the rest of my career and always be thankful for, hopefully, get him back in New England,” Maye said of Brissett, as quoted by Ian Logue of Patsfans.com.

Maye grateful with Brissett after first NFL season on Patriots

Brissett, 32, has been a mentor for Maye in 2024. The veteran quarterback dealt with the pressure as the Patriots’ starting quarterback at the beginning of the 2024 NFL season, paving the way for the rookie to take over later in the campaign.

“Having Jacoby [Brissett] in the room, he was the best,” Maye said, as Long agreed. “He’s the best. He was the best veteran I could ask for to have been there in the room with me.

“It was challenging, I think because I felt like coming… I think the sixth game was my first start, coming in the sixth game. And I think maybe the fifth game, we were one and four, one and five. And we lost to the Texans that game, and I felt like it was my time to step in. ‘Hey, this is our spot in the season where we need to make kind of a run to get a chance to make the playoffs.’ I felt like I didn’t really have that title yet.”

Brissett’s future in New England looks up in the air

Brissett signed a one-year deal with the Patriots last year as the franchise saw in him the bridge quarterback it needed before handing the reins to Maye. The North Carolina product is entering the 2025 NFL season as QB1, whereas Brissett’s future remains uncertain.

A nine-year veteran in the NFL, the Florida native will probably draw interest in free agency this offseason. His future in New England may depend on what opportunities come his way in March. If another team can offer Brissett a starting job, the Patriots might find it hard to keep him. Only time will tell us how this plays out.

Brissett started every game of the season, but head coach Jerod Mayo made a strong decision to start rookie Drake Maye at quarterback in response to the franchise’s poor performance in the National Football League.

“I don’t think words can really describe how tough it is,” Brissett said, breaking his silence in the Boston Herald. The Patriots quarterback was upset and frustrated by Mayo’s decision. These are difficult hours for the former Indianapolis Colt, who will wait on the bench.

Despite his feelings about the situation, Brissett said the competition for the position was healthy. “I’m here to support Drake Maye. I told him not to worry about me, and if he does, he’s worrying about the wrong thing,” the quarterback said.

Brissett’s performance in the 2024 NFL

The Patriots quarterback is playing for his fifth team in the last five seasons. He arrives from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a franchise for which he played just three games last season. In the current 2024 NFL, Brissett has completed 79 of 135 attempts for 696 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

What’s next for the New England Patriots?

The Patriots have lost their last four games and next face the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Drake Maye’s side will be looking for just their second win of the season.

While the former North Carolina QB has seen some action in a few games this season, this will be the first time he officially takes the field as a starter in a Patriots uniform.

During the traditional Wednesday press conference, Maye admitted to feeling a bit nervous about his debut, but he also expressed confidence in this opportunity: “Excited for these guys,” Maye said. “I think it’s an opportunity to go out there against a great football team and prove people wrong.”

Drake Maye begins his journey as a starter during a challenging time for the franchise, which finished Week 5 with four losses and only one win so far. The underwhelming performance of veteran Jacoby Brissett forced the head coach to make the decision to switch things up.

Jerod Mayo shared his thoughts on the choice of QB

The Patriots’ difficult season ultimately led head coach Jerod Mayo to bench Brissett and place his trust in the talent of former North Carolina rookie Drake Maye.

Regarding this situation, the coach addressed the press about how things will progress moving forward with Maye as the starter: “Going forward, I think Drake gives us the best chance to win now and going forward,” Mayo said.

“He’s been getting better every single week, as I’ve said before. At the end of training camp, he was actually trending at a very high rate and that has continued through the early part of the season.”, he finally concluded.

What’s next for the New England Patriot?

• vs Houston Texans, Week 6
• vs Jacksonville Jaguars, Week 7
• vs New York Jets, Week 8
• vs Tennessee Titans, Week 9
• vs Chicago Bears, Week 10

It is not easy to fill the shoes for the starting quarterback job in the Patriots. Tom Brady won six Super Bowl rings with the AFC East team, completely transforming the franchise into one of the most successful in the entire NFL.

Unfortunately for New England, Tom Brady made the decision to leave the club in 2020. Since then, the Patriots have not been able to find a decent replacement, and they are still searching for one to this day.

Jerod Mayo changes the tone on potential switch at starting QB position

Earlier this year, the Patriots made several changes to their offense. The club moved on from Mac Jones after three years, leaving them in need of a new starting quarterback for the 2024 season.

The bar has been very high since Tom Brady. The legendary quarterback left a huge gap to fill for the Patriots, and unfortunately, no one has managed to fill it properly as of today.

During the offseason, the Patriots drafted Drake Maye in the first round and welcomed back Jacoby Brissett. The veteran won the starting job, but he has not had a great campaign so far.

The Patriots have fallen to 1-4 this year with Brissett leading the offense. After a poor performance against the Dolphins, everyone is wondering if Jacoby should continue as the starter, and Jerod Mayo has issued a strong warning to him about it.

“It just wasn’t good enough,” Mayo said about Brissett’s performance against the Dolphins. “I thought we played well enough defensively and on special teams to win the football game. Look, as the quarterback — and he understands this — he touches the ball on every single play, and we didn’t win the game or score enough points to win the game. I think he would echo that same sentiment that it wasn’t good enough.”

Will the Patriots bench Jacoby Brissett for Week 6?

Prior to Week 4, Jerod Mayo said that Jacoby Brissett would not be benched in the coming weeks. However, the head coach has now changed his tone on this matter, opening the possibility of a switch at the position soon.

“Every single day, we are all being evaluated, and it’s no different now,” Mayo said when asked about a potential change at the starting QB role. Drake Maye could get a chance earlier than expected as starter if Brissett continues with these poor performances.

The tough loss suffered last weekend against the San Francisco 49ers not only left the Patriots with a bleak image on the field, but it also revealed an injury to a key player in the lineup. Center David Andrews hurt his shoulder in last Sunday’s loss and will require surgery.

According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport on his X account, the center confirmed his decision to undergo surgery, which means he will miss the remainder of the season with the New England Patriots: “Coach Jerod Mayo now confirms that C David Andrews is going to have surgery and is done for the season.”

The Patriots’ head coach, Jerod Mayo, weighed in on the news and was firm about his feelings regarding the situation: “First word I would say is toughness.” It’s definitely a significant loss for a Patriots team that urgently needs to get back on the winning track.

Before confirming the surgery, Andrews himself spoke on the Quick Snap Podcast, “sometimes you have to make decisions if you being out there is the best thing for the team.” After leaving injured at Levi’s Stadium, Andrews was replaced by Nick Leverett, who could potentially step in as his replacement for the remainder of the season.

“Just trying to take it day by day right now, get some things weighed out, and I’m going to try to get better as quick as I can, and see where things go,” Andrews said. “Or what has to go. So, I’m just trying to figure all that stuff out. It’s super frustrating.”

The challenging moment for the Patriots

Coached by Jerod Mayo, the Patriots started the season on the right foot with a resounding victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. However, three consecutive losses have put not only certain positions within the roster in jeopardy but also the future of the franchise itself.

Additionally, the tough injury to one of their leaders, center David Andrews, adds to their woes. If he decides to undergo surgery, he will be lost for the remainder of the season. This is undoubtedly a significant blow for a team that can’t afford any more setbacks.

Coming up is a divisional showdown against the Miami Dolphins, another team that’s struggling, which could serve as a springboard for the Patriots to turn their season around.

What’s next for the New England Patriots?

• vs Miami Dolphins, Week 5
• vs Houston Texans, Week 6
• vs Jacksonville Jaguars, Week 7
• vs New York Jets, Week 8
• vs Tennessee Titans, Week 9

The decisive loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday once again put the spotlight on Jacoby Brissett‘s performance. The former player for the Browns and Colts, among others, delivered another lackluster showing that inevitably contributed to yet another defeat for the Patriots.

In statements made to Alex Barth of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Jerod Mayo reiterated who his starting QB is week after week: “Jacoby is 100% our starter, and that’s how we’re going to look at this going forward,” Mayo stated.

So far this season, veteran QB Jacoby Brissett is completing just over 60% of his passes, accumulating 536 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.

Rob Gronkowski shared his thoughts on the Qb’s

Often, during the most critical moments for sports franchises, it’s former players who weigh in on various issues related to the team. These individuals, who have experienced success and faced challenges within the organization, provide valuable insights based on their firsthand experiences.

This time, it was none other than multiple Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski who, in a conversation with New England Sports Network, made his stance clear regarding who should be the starting QB for the Patriots.

“New England Patriots fans, I know what you’re saying. ‘Put Drake Maye in, this offense needs a spark,’” Gronkowski said. “But I’m telling you, it will be the same old story with Drake Maye in if he replaces Jacoby Brissett. He’ll be getting sacked. The offensive line will be letting guys go through, putting pressure on him. You don’t want to ruin his confidence. Wait until at least Week 12.”

With Brissett confirmed as the starting QB at least for the next game, the New England Patriots will host the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, October 6, in the early matchup.