GLENDALE – With mandatory minicamps well on its way, the Arizona Cardinals are still without last year’s starting QB Jacoby Brissett. The 33-year-old is holding out for a new deal in 2026, after setting career marks in passing yards and touchdowns. The two sides are reportedly still far apart on a deal, according to ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss. Thus, head coach Mike LaFleur had to go with quarterback Gardner Minshew as the option for first team reps.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!However, is this a blessing in disguise for LaFleur to have a former Pro Bowler step into the role ahead of his first season.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Gardner Minshew (17) leaves the field during the second quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. Minshew suffered a calf injury early in the game. Syndication: The Tennessean
Minshew getting first reps in Cardinals OTAs:
Much like Brissett, Minshew is a career backup, not getting many opportunities to start across the league. The 30-year-old has had four seasons where he started eight games or more. In his first two years with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Minshew went 7-13 but had 5,530 passing yards, 37 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The poor winning percentage didn’t get him another starting job until 2023 with the Indianapolis Colts.
Minshew made the Pro-Bowl game that season by going 7-6 with Indy and throwing for a career-high 3,305 passing yards. His production earned him a two-year, $25 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders to get his chance to be a full-time starter. He responded by having a 2-7 record and just nine touchdowns to 10 interceptions. Despite the poor performance, the Raiders would go 3-14 the next season, showing the issues went farther then just Minshew.
Aug 9, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Gardner Minshew (17) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Regardless, Las Vegas cut him, leading to him signing with the Kansas City Chiefs for the minimum salary. Despite the dream opportunity to play under Andy Reid, Minshew only started one game and quickly was injured. Minshew’s value is at the lowest of his NFL career. Once looked as one of the premier backups in the league, he is on the doorstep of getting kicked out of league.
A chip on his shoulders could be exactly what Minshew needs. The former Washington Stat grad is known for his eccentric personality and competitive spirit. Being in an offensive-minded scheme with LaFleur could give him the tools needed to match his competitiveness with stellar production. Weapons like Michael Wilson and Trey McBride, with a run game fueled by Jeremiyah Love, is the perfect combo to showcase the seven-year pro is still capable of producing at the NFL level.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Gardner Minshew (17) looks to throw the ball as Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Dante Stills (55) closes in during their preseason game at State Farm Stadium on Aug. 9, 2025. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
This could be Minshew’s last opportunity in the big leagues, and if Brissett doesn’t return in the next couple of weeks, he could begin to turn heads during Cardinals minicamp and OTAs to earn that starting spot.
Will Cardinals cut Jacoby Brissett to avoid expensive new deal for 2026?
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
