Cardinals Name Minshew Starting Quarterback for Seahawks Game

The Arizona Cardinals named Gardner Minshew their starting quarterback on Monday, November 2, one day after he came off the bench and led a 33-30 overtime win over the Dallas Cowboys. Head coach Mike LaFleur announced the decision at his Monday press conference, the Arizona Republic and USA Today reported. Minshew will make his first start for Arizona on Sunday, November 8, on the road against the Seattle Seahawks.

Beck moves up and Brissett drops to third

Rookie Carson Beck will serve as the backup quarterback, USA Today reported. Jacoby Brissett, who started the first eight games of the season, drops to the emergency third quarterback spot. LaFleur did not commit to keeping Brissett on the roster past the NFL trade deadline on November 10, USA Today and Pro Football Talk reported. Brissett made 20 starts across the last two seasons for Arizona, Arizona Sports reported, and he entered 2026 as the projected starter.

How Minshew took the job in Dallas

Brissett started on Sunday at AT&T Stadium and struggled. He completed 10 of 23 passes for 119 yards with one interception, Pro Football Talk reported. LaFleur replaced him with 1 minute and 35 seconds left in the third quarter, with Arizona trailing 17-3, Arizona Sports reported.

Minshew had not played a snap this season before Sunday. He completed 17 of 23 passes for 188 yards and three touchdowns. Arizona also trailed 24-10 in the fourth quarter before the comeback finished. Minshew tied the game on a 13 yard touchdown pass to Michael Wilson with six seconds left in regulation, and Chad Ryland kicked a 42 yard field goal in overtime to win it, 33-30.

After the game, LaFleur said he knew the quarterback question was coming. "I know what the story is going to be and so does Jacoby," he said, in comments published by the team and reported by Athlon Sports.

What the change means

Minshew is 30 years old and in his eighth NFL season. Sunday at Seattle will be a start for a sixth different team in his career, USA Today reported. His career record as a starter is 17-30, Arizona Sports reported. He signed a one year contract with Arizona in the offseason.

The Cardinals are 3-5, and the schedule gives the new starter no soft landing. Seattle is 4-3 and the defending Super Bowl champion, TSN reported. After Seattle, Arizona hosts the Los Angeles Rams and then travels to play the Kansas City Chiefs, Arizona Sports reported.

Why it matters

Arizona wanted stability at quarterback and did not get it. Brissett won the job, started half a season, and lost it in one afternoon in Dallas. Minshew now gets the test that has followed him his whole career: a short week, a loud road stadium, and a defense that knows he has to throw. If he plays the way he played against the Cowboys, the Cardinals have a starter. If he does not, Beck is one injury away from the field, and the trade deadline lands two days after the game.