The Baltimore Ravens have officially completed a trade with the Arizona Cardinals to acquire quarterback Jacoby Brissett. The transaction was finalized on Friday, bringing a new face to the Baltimore signal-calling position after a series of injuries disrupted the team's offensive leadership.
According to reports from ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Ravens will receive Brissett along with a fifth-round selection in the 2027 draft. In exchange, Baltimore will send Arizona a fourth-round pick in 2027 and a seventh-round pick in 2028. The two teams were in the process of finalizing these terms just before the Ravens faced the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday.
The move comes as an urgent response to significant injuries within the Ravens' quarterback room. Starter Lamar Jackson suffered a thumb injury that is expected to require surgery, with the possibility of a season-ending setback. Additionally, backup Tyler Huntley is out for the remainder of the season due to a turf toe injury, a status confirmed by sources on Wednesday.
In the absence of their primary options, undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano started the Thursday game against Jacksonville. He completed 10 of 18 passes for 60 yards but threw two interceptions in a 33-10 loss. The defeat marked the fourth consecutive game in which the Ravens, now sitting at 4-5, were held under 14 points, a franchise record for futility. It is also the first time in the team's 31-year history that they have lost three straight games by 20 or more points.
Brissett was recently removed from the starting lineup in Arizona. Coach Mike LaFleur informed the veteran quarterback of the change on Monday, prompting Brissett to request a trade. The Cardinals named Gardner Minshew II as their new starter, with rookie Carson Beck serving as the backup and Brissett moving to the third-string role.
Prior to his benching, Brissett had started 20 consecutive games for Arizona dating back to Week 6 of the 2025 season. He was pulled late in the third quarter of a 33-30 overtime victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Over that 20-game span, he led the league in dropbacks, completions, and attempts, while also ranking highly in other passing categories. However, he was sacked 62 times, a figure that ties for the most in the NFL.
Before the trade was finalized, the Cardinals restructured Brissett's contract. This move converted $2.7 million of his remaining $5.4 million salary into a signing bonus. Under his new deal with Baltimore, Brissett will receive a base salary of $2.43 million, with additional incentives available for performance.
The acquisition allows Brissett to reunite with Israel Woolfork, who is currently the quarterbacks coach for the Ravens. Woolfork held the same position for Brissett in Arizona last season and also worked with him in 2022 when Brissett was with the Cleveland Browns. This continuity may aid in the transition process.
Lamar Jackson was placed on injured reserve before Thursday's contest. While he will miss at least three more games, the Ravens have not yet provided a definitive timeline for his return. When asked by reporters if Jackson had already undergone surgery and if a return this season was still possible, head coach Jesse Minter declined to provide specific details.
With the new addition, the Ravens aim to stabilize their offense and end a difficult stretch of play. The trade reflects the team's willingness to make mid-season adjustments to improve their chances in the remaining weeks of the season.
