The Cardinals pulled the plug on Jacoby Brissett in the middle of Week 8, turning to Gardner Minshew against the Dallas Cowboys after another rough stretch on offense.
Brissett was done after completing 10 of 23 passes for 119 yards and an interception. Arizona was down 17-10 when the move came, and Minshew wasted no time making an impact, guiding the Cardinals to a touchdown on his first series with a 63-yard touchdown run.
Minshew entered as the No. 2 quarterback on the depth chart and got his first action of the 2026 season. Rookie third-round pick Carson Beck remains the emergency option, eligible only if both Minshew and Brissett are unavailable.
The switch comes after a season in which Arizona has not gotten the offense it expected from Brissett. The Cardinals entered the day 2-5, and frustration had been building around the quarterback spot for weeks.
That’s what makes the timing notable. Head coach Mike LaFleur had been firm in his support of Brissett and his ability to run the offense, so the in-game change stands out as a real shift in direction.
Brissett, who was voted a team captain for 2026, had spoken this week about taking responsibility for getting things turned around inside the building.
“It’s a new week. It’s a new opportunity. Being fortunate enough to get another Wednesday is a blessing for all of us and we understand that," said Brissett.
"We have a tough opponent coming up and we’re looking forward to that. I think the approach (is), it’s a long season and it’s (on to) the next one, I think that kind of handles itself and (then) it’s going out there with the right mindset and practicing. Trying to win today, so to say.”
Brissett had held out through the offseason before landing $15 million guaranteed on the final year of his contract and winning the starting job entering 2026. Now Minshew, a former Pro Bowl quarterback, gets the reins, and that could put him in line to keep the job going forward.
With the Nov. 10 trade deadline approaching, Arizona’s quarterback situation is suddenly wide open. The Cardinals are also still hoping to get Beck on the field at some point this season.
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