The Baltimore Ravens have agreed to trade for Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett as they navigate a severe injury crisis at the position, according to ESPN. The deal is expected to be finalized this weekend, with compensation still to be determined.
Injury Crisis Forces Move
Two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson suffered a thumb injury requiring surgery on his first pass attempt against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, potentially ending his season. Backup Tyler Huntley then sustained a season-ending turf toe injury, leaving undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano, who is also dealing with an ankle injury, as the likely starter for the Ravens' Week 9 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday night.
Brissett's Track Record
Brissett, who turns 34 next month, has spent the past two seasons in Arizona. The Cardinals recently demoted him to third-string after Gardner Minshew threw three touchdowns and led a 14-point fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the Dallas Cowboys 33-30 in overtime. In his most recent start, Brissett completed 10 of 23 passes for 119 yards with one interception before being replaced.
This season, Brissett has completed 63.3% of his passes for 1,719 yards, 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions in eight games. CBS Sports Research notes that his 75.6 yards per game to tight end Trey McBride entering Week 8 were the most by a quarterback-tight end combination since 1970 (minimum 15 games). This marks the second trade of Brissett's career, and the Ravens will be his seventh team.
Impact on Ravens
While Brissett cannot replicate Jackson's unique skill set, he brings significant experience: 73 career starts (23-50 record) and 86 more touchdown passes than the rest of the Ravens' healthy quarterbacks combined. His career interception rate of 1.5% is tied for the second-lowest in NFL history behind Aaron Rodgers' 1.4%. Over the past 365 days, Brissett is one of only five quarterbacks to throw for 4,000 yards and 25 touchdowns, joining Drake Maye, Matthew Stafford, Jared Goff and Dak Prescott.
The move also improves Brissett's defensive support. Over the last calendar year, the Cardinals allowed 32.6 points per game — four points more than any other NFL team — while the Ravens allowed 22.6 points per game. Baltimore currently sits at the bottom of the AFC North with a 4-4 record, but hopes a veteran presence under center can propel the team toward a playoff berth.
