Gardner Minshew selected as Cardinals’ starting QB; Jacoby Brissett demoted to 3rd string

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Gardner Minshew will be the Arizona Cardinals' starting quarterback, while Jacoby Brissett will move to the third-string position, according to head coach Mike LaFleur. Minshew led the team to a 33-30 overtime victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, having taken over for the struggling Brissett and sparked a 14-point comeback in the fourth quarter.

LaFleur praised Minshew's performance, noting his pocket movement and accurate passing. Rookie Carson Beck will take on the backup role. Brissett, who signed a $15.5 million contract during training camp, has been less productive this season, completing just 10 of 23 passes for 117 yards and an interception. The Cardinals agreed to a reworked deal with Brissett, paying him $15.5 million this season.

However, he hasn't lived up to expectations in the first eight games of the season and was benched on Sunday. LaFleur acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, emphasizing that it's not an easy call and that a human element is involved. Despite Brissett's respect as a player, LaFleur believes the team needed a spark and Minshew provided just that.

Minshew, on a $5.75 million, one-year deal, has an impressive career-high 3,366 passing yards and 23 touchdowns in 2023, earning him a Pro Bowl selection.