The Baltimore Ravens have secured veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett to address a critical need at the position following a string of injuries. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Baltimore acquired Brissett and a 2027 fifth-round pick from the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2028 seventh-round pick. The agreement was initially reached on Wednesday and became official on Friday, shortly after the Ravens suffered a 33-10 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday Night Football.
The urgency of the trade stems from back-to-back losses in the quarterback department during the Ravens' game against the Buffalo Bills. Lamar Jackson exited on the first offensive play of the game due to a thumb injury, and his backup, Tyler Huntley, was subsequently sidelined with a turf toe. Jackson is expected to miss at least the next three games, while head coach Jesse Minter described Huntley's injury and required surgery as potentially season-ending. The team currently sits with a 4-5 record and is on a four-game losing streak.
Brissett is expected to start in Week 10 against the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night Football. Prior to this acquisition, the Ravens' available options included undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano, who had started the recent loss to the Jaguars, along with Kedon Slovis and Austin Reed, both of whom signed with the team this week. Fagnano is the only one of the three who has significant recent game experience, having finished the game against the Bills.
For the Cardinals, Brissett started the first eight games of the season before being benched during the Week 8 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Following a remarkable comeback led by Gardner Minshew, head coach Mike LaFleur named Minshew the starter and rookie Carson Beck the backup. This demotion of Brissett to the third-string role made him an attractive target for Baltimore, given the Ravens' dire circumstances.
Analysts have graded the trade as a B-minus for Baltimore. While Brissett is not expected to single-handedly turn around the season, his presence provides a more workable offensive environment than relying on inexperienced backups. It is considered unfair to throw an undrafted rookie into the fire for the remainder of the season, especially given that no undrafted rookie quarterback has started more than six games in the past six years. His experience allows the first-year coaching staff of Jesse Minter and offensive coordinator Declan Doyle to evaluate the rest of the offense more fairly.
Brissett is characterized as a low-level starter and high-end backup who has maintained that role for several years. Statistically, he ranks 17th among qualified quarterbacks in passing success rate since last season, though he trails in net yards per attempt due to a lack of big plays and a tendency to take sacks. His role is to support a mediocre passing attack and provide stability while the team evaluates its longer-term options.
The upcoming schedule offers the Ravens two potentially winnable games against the Chargers and the Carolina Panthers before facing the Houston Texans and a bye week. This timeline represents the earliest possible return window for Jackson, although he does not appear ready for that immediate return. The Ravens' defense has been mediocre, and running back Derrick Henry has shown a significant drop in performance this year, making the need for a competent passing game even more pronounced.
The trade has been graded an A for the Arizona Cardinals. The team entered the season with a rebuild in mind and is currently 3-5. Acquiring draft capital for a player who was no longer part of their short-term plans is viewed as excellent business. Minshew and Brissett served similar roles as veteran backups, so the move did not significantly alter the depth chart's structure while providing tangible assets for the future.
The timing of the trade was fortuitous for Arizona, aligning with their strategic goals. By selling a veteran who was not in their long-term plans, the Cardinals have strengthened their draft position while maintaining a competitive roster. For Baltimore, while the acquisition does not solve all issues, it provides a decent and unexciting solution to an unenviable situation, ensuring the offense remains functional for the remainder of the season.
