The Arizona Cardinals have reshuffled their quarterback depth chart following a dramatic 33-30 overtime victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Head coach Mike LaFleur announced Monday that Gardner Minshew will become the starting quarterback, rookie Carson Beck moves to the backup role, and Jacoby Brissett, who started the first seven games, is demoted to third-string.
Minshew, 30, replaced Brissett late in the game against the Cowboys and threw three touchdown passes while completing 73.9% of his attempts, turning a 27-17 deficit with 3:54 remaining into a win that improved the Cardinals' record to 3-5. The veteran quarterback, a 2019 sixth-round pick, has played for Jacksonville, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, and Kansas City before joining Arizona this season. His best season came in 2023 when he went 7-6 as the Colts' starter and earned a Pro Bowl selection.
Beck, a 2026 third-round pick, impressed in the preseason, completing 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions. He played a prolific 2025 season at Miami that ended with a College Football Playoff National Championship appearance.
Minshew will make his first start for the Cardinals next Sunday in Seattle against the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks. LaFleur was non-committal about Brissett's future with the team, fueling speculation that the 31-year-old could be traded before the November 10 deadline.
The Baltimore Ravens have emerged as a potential destination for Brissett after losing Lamar Jackson to a possible season-ending injury and backup Tyler Huntley to a toe injury, leaving undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano as the only healthy quarterback. A trade could provide the Ravens with a viable starter or experienced backup, while the Cardinals would likely receive modest compensation, such as a sixth-round pick or a fifth-round pick with a seventh-round swap.
Both teams are expected to discuss a deal, though the Ravens' playoff prospects remain slim without Jackson, and the Cardinals should not expect a significant return for a quarterback who just lost his starting job.
