On March 11, 2025, the Arizona Cardinals announced their plan to sign quarterback Jacoby Brissett to a two-year deal averaging $6.25 million per year, significantly adding experience to their quarterback room. The announcement came just one day before the start of the new league year on March 12, 2025, allowing Brissett to officially join the team as free agency opens.
Brissett, age 32, completed 59% of his passes for 826 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception over eight games (five of which were starts) for the New England Patriots during the 2024 season, achieving a passer rating of 74.2. He stepped up as the starting quarterback after rookie sensation Drake Maye took over the spot later on.
A third-round draft pick by the Patriots back in 2016, Brissett has had quite the career, playing for various teams including the Indianapolis Colts (2017-2019), Miami Dolphins (2021), Cleveland Browns (2022), and Washington Commanders (2023). His most productive stretch came with the Browns, where he threw for 2,608 yards with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions across 11 starts during the season when Deshaun Watson was suspended, finishing with an impressive passer rating of 89.1.
Brissett's signing is seen as strategically beneficial for the Cardinals. According to ESPN, "Brissett is the veteran backup both the Cardinals and quarterback Kyler Murray need at the moment." This sentiment was echoed by reports indicating his familiarity with both head coach Jonathan Gannon and offensive coordinator Drew Petzing from their previous time together with the Colts and Browns, respectively. Petzing's previous experience as Brissett's quarterback coach is expected to help him settle quickly with the Cardinals. "There’s little to no risk with Brissett, especially because of his familiarity with Petzing's offense," noted ESPN.
The Cardinals’ quarterback depth will now include Kyler Murray, who faced challenges last season when he missed significant time due to recovery from ACL surgery. Murray played the entire 17 games for Arizona during the 2024 season but was limited to just eight games the previous year. When Murray was sidelined, the Cardinals struggled to find stability with Joshua Dobbs and Clayton Tune splitting starting duties, resulting in just one win out of nine games without him.
Brissett's extensive experience and ability to adjust to different situations make him a valuable asset for Arizona as they navigate the unpredictable nature of the NFL. With Brissett on board, the team hopes to provide the necessary support for Murray and mitigate the risks associated with injury and uncertainty at the quarterback position.
The Cardinals are staying active during the free agency period. Just prior to Brissett's signing, they agreed to terms with player acquisitions including guard Evan Brown, who started all 17 games last season and is seen as pivotal for continuing offensive line stability. They also secured deals with pass rusher Josh Sweat and inside linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither, demonstrating their commitment to bolstering the roster before the upcoming NFL Draft on April 24, 2025.
Overall, the addition of Jacoby Brissett not only enhances the quarterback situation for the Cardinals but signifies their broader strategy to steadily improve the team and rebuild for future success. With the right support and options behind Murray, fans can look forward to what the 2025 season has to offer.