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The Arizona Cardinals made a move in free agency at quarterback, agreeing to a one-year contract with Gardner Minshew, a well traveled sometimes starter, sometimes backup.
He was the backup quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs last season.
While reported as a one-year, $8.25 million deal, it appears to be a base salary of $5.75 million.
That is more than Jacoby Brissett, who started the final 12 games for the Cardinals last season, is scheduled to make in 2026. Brissett is scheduled to make almost $4.9 million in salary.
With a slightly bigger contract than Brissett, the question with the move was whether Minshew would start over Brissett.
According to Arizona Sports 98.7 FM's John Gambadoro, there isn't a controversy, at least not yet. Brissett enters the offseason as the starting quarterback, while Minshew will back him up.
Brissett was 1-11 in his 12 starts last season and is 2-15 over 17 starts over the last two seasons. He is 20-45 as a starter in his career.
Minshew isn't any better. While starting 6-6 as a rookie, he is 17-30 in 47 career starts.
Brissett did have is best statistical season in 2025, passing for 3,366 yards and 23 touchdowns, both career-highs. However, after being named the starter and Kyler Murray was placed on injured reserve, Brissett and the Cardinals went 0-9 with six losses by three or more scores, averaging 19.4 points per game (and 18.7 offensive points per game, as the defense scored a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars).
While this report makes it clear that Brissett is the starter, we will see if that remains clear in offseason workouts and training camp. Will they split first-team reps?
Either way, a combined 37-75 record as starting quarterbacks means Cardinals fans shouldn't get too excited about the upcoming season. Wins will likely be few and far between.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Gardner Minshew expected to be backup QB for Arizona Cardinals
Continue reading...
He was the backup quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs last season.
While reported as a one-year, $8.25 million deal, it appears to be a base salary of $5.75 million.
That is more than Jacoby Brissett, who started the final 12 games for the Cardinals last season, is scheduled to make in 2026. Brissett is scheduled to make almost $4.9 million in salary.
With a slightly bigger contract than Brissett, the question with the move was whether Minshew would start over Brissett.
According to Arizona Sports 98.7 FM's John Gambadoro, there isn't a controversy, at least not yet. Brissett enters the offseason as the starting quarterback, while Minshew will back him up.
Brissett was 1-11 in his 12 starts last season and is 2-15 over 17 starts over the last two seasons. He is 20-45 as a starter in his career.
Minshew isn't any better. While starting 6-6 as a rookie, he is 17-30 in 47 career starts.
Brissett did have is best statistical season in 2025, passing for 3,366 yards and 23 touchdowns, both career-highs. However, after being named the starter and Kyler Murray was placed on injured reserve, Brissett and the Cardinals went 0-9 with six losses by three or more scores, averaging 19.4 points per game (and 18.7 offensive points per game, as the defense scored a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars).
While this report makes it clear that Brissett is the starter, we will see if that remains clear in offseason workouts and training camp. Will they split first-team reps?
Either way, a combined 37-75 record as starting quarterbacks means Cardinals fans shouldn't get too excited about the upcoming season. Wins will likely be few and far between.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Gardner Minshew expected to be backup QB for Arizona Cardinals
Continue reading...
