Baltimore needed a quarterback, and Arizona had one it no longer wanted to start. Now the two teams are working on a deal that could reshape both quarterback rooms.
The Arizona Cardinals are finalizing a trade that would send quarterback Jacoby Brissett to the Baltimore Ravens, according to reports Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. The deal is expected to be completed this weekend.
Why do the Ravens need Jacoby Brissett?
Baltimore lost star Lamar Jackson to a thumb injury that requires surgery and could end his season. Backup Tyler Huntley has a turf toe injury that will end his season, according to reports. The injuries have left Baltimore scrambling for help at the most important position on the field.
Undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano will start Thursday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars, with Kedon Slovis and Austin Reed, both acquired this week, as his backups. The three have combined for no career starts, 44 snaps and 23 passes.
The Ravens have lost three straight games, fallen to four wins and four losses and dropped to last place in the AFC North. They have not scored more than 13 points in three straight games for the first time since 2005. The losing streak has put the team’s playoff hopes in jeopardy.
When could Jacoby Brissett play for Baltimore?
Baltimore has 11 days off after Thursday’s game, which should give Jacoby Brissett time to prepare for a Monday night matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers on Nov. 16.
If he plays, he would become the fourth quarterback to throw a pass for the Ravens this season, tying a team record set in 2015 and matched in 2020.
He will also reunite with Ravens quarterbacks coach Israel Woolfork, who coached him in Arizona last season and in Cleveland in 2022. That familiarity could help him learn the offense quickly.
Why did the Cardinals move on?
Arizona benched Brissett late in the third quarter of Sunday’s 33 to 30 overtime win over the Dallas Cowboys and later named Gardner Minshew the starter, with rookie Carson Beck as the backup. Minshew rallied Arizona to the win after replacing him.
Brissett asked for a trade Monday when the Cardinals coach called to tell him about the change, according to a source. Trade talks with Baltimore began after Sunday’s game and picked up Tuesday.
The Cardinals coach declined to comment Wednesday, saying the team would let the process play out. Arizona would likely receive a draft pick in return, though terms were not disclosed.
How has Jacoby Brissett played?
Jacoby Brissett started the past 20 games for Arizona dating to last season. The Cardinals won three of eight games this season with him starting and one of 12 last season.
Over that stretch, Jacoby Brissett led the league in dropbacks, completions and attempts and ranked fifth in passing yards. He was also sacked 62 times, tied for the most in the NFL. He was hit 241 times, the most in the league, a sign of the pressure he faced.
Brissett held out during the offseason for a new contract after replacing Kyler Murray as the starter. He received $15.5 million guaranteed for 2026, replacing a deal that originally guaranteed him $1.5 million. The holdout made headlines before he became Arizona’s starter for the season.
What does the deal mean for Baltimore?
The trade gives the Ravens an experienced starter as they try to save a season that began with Super Bowl expectations. The NFL trade deadline is Nov. 10.
For Jacoby Brissett, the move offers a fresh start and a chance to lead a contender searching for answers. His play could decide whether Baltimore can recover.
