Cardinals Name Gardner Minshew Starting Quarterback; Jacoby Brissett Demoted to QB3

Gardner Minshew will start for the Arizona Cardinals after throwing three touchdowns in a 33-30 overtime victory against the Cowboys.

Arizona Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur announced Monday that Gardner Minshew is the team's new starting quarterback. The decision follows a 33-30 come-from-behind overtime victory against the Dallas Cowboys, where Minshew replaced Jacoby Brissett with 1:35 remaining in the third quarter. Minshew completed 17 of 23 passes for 188 yards and three touchdowns, leading Arizona to scores on all four of his regulation possessions. He also orchestrated the winning overtime drive, which concluded with a 42-yard field goal by Chad Ryland.

Jacoby Brissett, who started every game this season prior to the benching, falls to the emergency third quarterback role. Before his removal on Sunday, Brissett completed 10 of 23 passes for 119 yards and was sacked four times. Rookie third-round pick Carson Beck moves into the backup role behind Minshew. Beck has been inactive for all eight games this season while managing back spasms, but LaFleur stated the rookie is now healthy and will benefit from increased reps with the scout team.

LaFleur described the quarterback reshuffle as a "gut decision" intended to provide a spark for the offense. The Cardinals are scheduled to play the Seattle Seahawks this coming Sunday. To ensure internal transparency, LaFleur met with non-quarterback players to discuss the depth chart changes before the public announcement was made on November 2, 2026.