Jacoby Brissett Trade Rumors Heat Up: What the Veteran QB’s Next Move Means for the Playoff Race

PHOENIX – The Arizona Cardinals have officially tapped veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett to start again in Week 9’s Monday Night Football showdown against the Dallas Cowboys, as franchise star Kyler Murray continues to rehab a lingering foot injury that has sidelined him since mid-October. Head coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed the move over the weekend, marking Brissett’s third consecutive start and reinforcing his status as the league’s premier insurance policy under center. Brissett, 32, has completed 64.2 % of his passes for 599 yards, four touchdowns and just one interception since taking over the huddle, posting a respectable 97.7 passer rating that ranks ahead of several entrenched starters. Although Arizona dropped two of those contests by a combined eight points, the offense has looked noticeably steadier, averaging 24.3 points per game during his stint. Monday’s matchup presents Brissett’s stiffest test yet. Dallas leads the NFL in sacks (31) and pressures (104) behind Micah Parsons’ relentless edge rush, while its secondary boasts league-best marks in opponent passer rating (71.2) and takeaways (18). Brissett’s quick decision-making and trademark poise will be pivotal behind an injury-thinned Cardinals offensive line that has already surrendered 23 sacks this year. From an X-and-O standpoint, expect offensive coordinator Drew Petzing to lean on a heavy dose of play-action and three-step concepts designed to get the ball out fast to rookie standout Marvin Harrison Jr. and speedster Rondale Moore. Brissett has thrived on intermediate throws between the numbers, completing 72 % of attempts from 10-19 yards, and Dallas’ Cover-3 looks could leave seams open if the run game—anchored by James Conner’s 4.7 yards per carry—stays on schedule. Fantasy football managers scrambling for a bye-week replacement should view Brissett as a high-floor QB2. The Cowboys have allowed 21 plus fantasy points to two of the last three quarterbacks they’ve faced, and Brissett’s sneaky rushing upside (122 yards, two TDs in limited action) raises his ceiling. Daily-fantasy players can capitalize on his modest salary to stack with Harrison in GPP formats. Long term, Brissett’s performance could influence Arizona’s quarterback calculus beyond 2025. Murray carries a $46 million cap hit next season, and league sources say the Cardinals will weigh all options if Brissett keeps the offense competitive. For now, Gannon insists Murray remains the future, but a prime-time upset in Arlington would only amplify the conversation. Kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium. If Brissett can engineer a signature road win against Dak Prescott and a Super Bowl hopeful defense, the Cardinals’ playoff hopes—and the veteran’s market value—could skyrocket overnight.