Who Will Start for the Cardinals When Their Two-Time Pro Bowl QB Returns?
Not knowing which quarterback to start is usually a downside to a football team. It typically means that both quarterbacks are playing below the standards, and the team is trying to figure out what will work. The Cardinals have the opposite problem. The Cardinals have two excellent quarterbacks on their roster in Kyler Murray and Jacoby Brissett. Jacoby Brissett is a veteran quarterback who has put the Cardinals in positions to win in Murray’s absence. Kyler Murray is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the league, with seemingly no results. For now, Kyler Murray is still injured. The question is, who will start when Murray is healthy again?
Kyler Murray’s Lack of Production
Kyler Murray is quite possibly the most talented quarterback the Cardinals have ever seen. His ability to scramble out of the pocket and make plays with his feet makes it hard for the defense to stop him. However, talent alone does not win Super Bowls. To get true results, players must win games that matter. Kyler Murray has played seven seasons with the Cardinals, including this season, and has only gone to the playoffs once. Cardinals fans would rather see someone who is not as talented as Murray win than someone as talented as Murray lose. Kyler Murray has 38 wins, 48 losses, and one tie as a starter. If Kyler Murray could win important games, it would not even be a question whether he or Jacoby Brissett should start.
Jacoby Brissett Gives Hope
At this point in the season, with a record of three wins and six losses, it is unlikely that the Cardinals can make the playoffs. Jacoby Brissett has given Cardinals fans hope, though, barely losing a close game against the Colts and beating the Cowboys. Against the Colts, he threw 44 passes and completed 27 of them. He had 320 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Against the Cowboys, he had 31 passes and completed 21 of them with 261 passing yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. Brissett also started against the Seahawks today. This game was awful for the entire team. Jacoby Brissett threw for 44 passes and completed only 22 of them with 258 passing yards and two touchdowns. Brissett also fumbled the ball twice, losing the game 22-44. However, this is the only game he has played since he started that has not been close. The Seahawks were clearly the better team. Nevertheless, Jacoby Brissett still gives fans hope, a hope that fans did not have with Murray behind the center.
Being Realistic
It would seem like the best quarterback to start would be Jacoby Brissett. However, that will probably not be the case. The Cardinals would look foolish to release Kyler Murray, as they would be taking a $57.7 million dead cap hit if they released him before June 1st. If they released him after June 1st, the dead cap hit would be split between 2026 and 2027. There would be $50.5 million in 2026 and $7.2 million in 2027. This would mean that the Cardinals would still be paying Kyler Murray this money even if he were not playing for them. If they decided to trade Kyler Murray, that would save them $35.3 million, but would still leave $17.9 million that they would have to pay. Throughout all of these scenarios, one thing remains simple. Getting rid of Murray will cost lots of money. Kyler Murray is currently on injury reserve but should be eligible to start in Week 14 against the Rams. It will be interesting to see who the Cardinals choose to start. One thing is for sure: Cardinals fans are tired of losing, and Cardinals’ ownership is tired of letting down their fans.
