Gardner Minshew is Arizona’s starting quarterback from here on, coach Mike LaFleur said Monday, in what amounts to a full reshuffle of the Cardinals’ quarterback room.
Rookie Carson Beck moves up to back up Minshew after being the emergency third quarterback. Jacoby Brissett, who had started every game until now, drops to emergency third quarterback. The Cardinals play at the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
Mike LaFleur confirms that Gardner Minshew is the Cardinals new QB1.
Carson Beck is the team’s new QB2.
Jacoby Brissett is now emergency QB. https://t.co/a1Cwd9VpJv
— PHNX Cardinals (@PHNX_Cardinals) November 2, 2026
The change grew out of Sunday’s game. Minshew replaced Brissett with 1:35 left in the third quarter and led Arizona to a come-from-behind 33-30 overtime win, ESPN reported.
The Cardinals scored touchdowns on all four of Minshew’s possessions in regulation, and he led the winning drive in overtime, which ended with a 42-yard field goal from Chad Ryland. Minshew finished 17-for-23 for 188 yards and three touchdowns. LaFleur said Monday that the switch from Brissett was a gut decision. He felt Arizona “needed a spark.”
“I think he kind of showed all of us in terms of him going out there being the competitor that he is,” LaFleur said. “Doesn’t shock me obviously. The production was pretty wild in terms of the amount of points and just moving up and down the field. But, he’s a competitor and he’s always prepared. He’s preparing like he’s the starter. He’s preparing like he’s going to be in there for whatever snap. He supported Jacoby at a high level, too. He’s been a great backup for him, been great for the room and look forward to the challenge that we have this week with him.”
Demoting Brissett to emergency third quarterback wasn’t easy, LaFleur said. Brissett was 10-for-23 for 119 yards and was sacked four times before he was pulled on Sunday. LaFleur admitted the whole situation wouldn’t be easy on him, but said Brissett has handled it like a “pro.”
As for Beck, Arizona’s third-round pick this year, LaFleur said making him the back-up was the “right thing to do.” It will also help his development, because he’ll get reps with the scout team.
Jeremiyah Love Out
Yankeescores reported that in August that the Cardinals lost their rookie running back this week to injury and most likely their entire projected backfield picture in the process.
No. 3 overall pick Jeremiyah Love was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain
