When asked about Beck’s role, Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort said “We just announced his name [Beck] about a half hour ago. We just want to get him in the building. We’re excited to have great competition in that room and we’ll see how it shakes out.”

New head coach Mike LaFleur also spoke on the matter with kind of a similar message. “It benefits anyone at any position to be able to sit back. Sometimes guys don’t have a choice because you have to put your best 22 on the field, so we’ll see where this all shakes out.”

Carson Beck compared to Jacoby Brissett

While the comparison is tough to make since Beck hasn’t played a single snap in the NFL, styles are different. Brissett offers reliable, short-term stability as a seasoned starter, while Beck represents a high-ceiling prospect for the future.

Brissett is looking to get a new contract that resembles a payout for a starting quarterback. However, according to the general manager and head coach, he is not the starter anyway. Hence, if he wants a new contract, then he also needs to beat everyone in the QB room.

There’s a third wheel willing to play spoiler

While the narrative goes with Brissett and Beck, a certain Gardner Minshew could very well compete with both of them. Minshew has a 17-30 record, while Brissett has a 20-45 record. Minshew has a better completion percentage, passer rating, more pass yards per attempt and yards per game than Brissett.

Also, Brissett has 76 touchdowns to Minshew’s 68, but it’s eight touchdowns in 18 more games. Hence, Minshew is very well in the mix to become the starting QB, as his numbers are better than Brissett’s, and he beating Beck could be very much in the table.

Earlier this year, the Cardinals decided to release Kyler Murray, who quickly joined the Vikings. This left Arizona with a difficult choice: to enter the 2026 season with a veteran or draft a new franchise quarterback.

It was initially expected that Jacoby Brissett would take over as QB1. However, he has skipped the Cardinals’ first offseason workouts due to a contract dispute—an issue that could force Arizona to sign another signal-caller.

Brissett’s holdout may lead the Cardinals to another veteran QB

As of today, the Cardinals are not regarded as true contenders. With Kyler Murray’s exit, the biggest question revolves around the future QB1, and there is currently no clear answer.

Brissett wants a new contract. In 2025, he signed a two-year, $12.5 million deal with Arizona that runs through the 2026 season. He is aware that he is the most reliable option the club currently has and is using that as leverage.

Nevertheless, his holdout may backfire. Jimmy Garoppolo was linked to Arizona after Murray’s exit, and unfortunately for Brissett, Jimmy G is not the only veteran option available on the market.

While some believe Aaron Rodgers could be tempted by Arizona, the truth is that the NFC West is highly competitive, and he may prefer to stay in the AFC North with the Steelers.

Another real option is Russell Wilson, who has struggled since his departure from the Seahawks. However, he knows the NFC West incredibly well, which could be key in helping Arizona avoid being viewed as the worst team in the league.

Other veterans like Tyrod Taylor or Derek Carr are on the market, but Carr reportedly only has eyes for a Super Bowl contender—a status the Cardinals are far from reaching.

Are the Cardinals drafting a QB in 2026?

In recent days, the Cardinals hosted Ty Simpson for a pre-draft visit. They currently hold the No. 3 overall pick, giving them a legitimate chance to land the former Alabama standout.

However, reports suggest Arizona may not be interested in using such a high pick on a quarterback. The Cardinals might decide to trade down and wait for the later rounds to select a signal-caller, hoping to find a “hidden gem” on Day 2 or 3 of the upcoming draft.

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the Cardinals still have the third pick and Ty Simpson might be the answer at quarterback. However, Florio also states that the Cardinals “could, in theory, trade down and take Simpson in a lower spot. And there could be a team that sufficiently covets running back Jeremiyah Love to try to leapfrog the Titans at No. 4.”

With Jacoby Brissett no-showing the Cardinals workout due to his contract dispute, the Cardinals might go ahead and use their draft power to bring a young, big-time prospect like Simpson.

Ty Simpson’s draft spot is a mystery

While he is unarguably the second-best quarterback in this draft, his actual drafting spot is not clear at all. While many regard him as a first-round pick, it will all depend on how teams address their needs, or whether they want the best player available.

That’s why Florio doesn’t rule out the possibility of the team trading down. However, what’s clear is that the Cardinals might have a new priority given the Brissett situation. The other QB that could start for them is Gardner Minshew, who is recovering from a knee injury.

Is Ty Simpson NFL ready?

Viewed as a boom-or-bust player, Ty Simpson is for some analysts like Chase Daniel the most pro-ready QB in the draft. However, it’s not like Simpson has the ceiling of Fernando Mendoza, for instance.

Still, many praise his IQ, his ability to dissect defense’s weaknesses in the film room all the way to the field, and his accuracy. It also helps that Simpson played in an NFL-esque system like Alabama.

While Brissett won’t be fined, since this work is voluntary, it gives a clear message to the team: give the QB more money, or else. The absence was reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Media.

The reason, according to Rapoport is simple, Brissett’s wish is a contractual commitment that reflects a QB1 pay. As for now, he is owed a base salary of $4.88 million with $1.5 million guaranteed.

Is Brissett’s QB1 spot guaranteed?

While Brissett is clearly the frontrunner, the Cardinals also brought Gardner Minshew, though he is recovering from a knee injury. Hence, Brissett will have competition to earn his starting spot, even if he is starting with a good leeway.

Brissett threw for 3,366 yards on 64.9% completion with 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions. While those raw numbers aren’t bad, he still had a 1-11 record. Now, Mike LaFleur will have to decide which quarterback he will put in the starting lineup.

The Cardinals have great players and capital to turn around their situation

Michael Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr. are a very talented receiver-duo, and Trey McBride is a top-tier tight end. Also, they have a capable running back coming back in James Conner, and reports say they could pick Jeremiyah Love after a newly-picked interest.

Hence, whether it’s Jacoby Brissett or Gardner Minshew, they will have good company to thrive, especially as it’s Mike LaFleur coming in and calling plays. Therefore, expectations are on the rise for Arizona.

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.