GLENDALE – After a demoralizing walk off loss the New York Giants at MetLife, the Arizona Cardinals are left with plenty of questions on their future. The biggest one surrounds a team captain in quarterback Jacoby Brissett. A revival last season has begun to look like a one-off with a disasterous performance in Week 4 throwing three interception and only having 166 passing yards.
Sitting 20th in passing yards, while having the fourth-most interceptions among starting QBs, Brissett has struggled. Head coach Mike LaFleur might have to look at other options on the roster with Gardner Minshew or rookie Carson Beck. However, a recent 2027 NFL mock draft by Nick Baumgardner sees the long-term solution at quarterback being a Duck.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) passes the ball, Sunday, October 4, 2026, in East Rutherford. Credit: Kevin R. WexlerNorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Baumgardner on why Cardinals should target Dante Moore:
“We’ll have to see how Moore, who is practicing again, responds after the concussion he suffered while taking a nasty hit vs. USC. When healthy and playing well, Moore still feels like a high-floor QB who would be able to handle the NFL’s ups and downs.”
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore walks the field after the Ducks’ loss as the Oregon Ducks face the Indiana Hoosiers in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 9, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Syndication: The Register Guard
Moore was a projected top-two pick in last year’s draft, but elected to return to Oregon for another season. A recent scary collision has scouts holding breathes, but as Baumgardner mentioned, Moore has returned to practice and looks to be making his return imminently.
At still 21-year-old, Moore has looked well beyond his years, having zero turnovers in four games thus far in 2026. His nine touchdowns before the injury put him on pace to blow out his career high in a season of 30 passing TDs just last season. The 6’3 senior seems like the prototypical modern quarterback that limits mistake, while not sacrificing his playmaking ability in and outside the pocket.
Aug 13, 2026; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur watches from the sidelines against the Las Vegas Raiders in the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Brissett’s new deal only runs towards the end of this season, which seems perfect to bringing in a player like Moore. Before a decision like that is made, LaFleur and the franchise will need to figure out what they have in Carson Beck. The third-round pick turns 24 years old next month and still has questions surrounding him on whether he can play in the NFL.
Similar questions surrounded current starting QB Tyler Shough in 2025 when he was drafted at 25 years old, but the New Orleans Saints were quick to get him reps. The result has been him being a gunslinger his second season, leading the NFL in passing attempts and completions. Beck hasn’t gotten much reps, with only one preseason start under his belt.
The turmoil of offseason contract negotiations paints the picture that Brissett won’t be here in 2027. This begs the question, what do the Cardinals gain from starting the 33-year-old? Next offseason sees Arizona with over $100 million in cap space and an expected top pick. Putting in Beck in the next few weeks will show if they can spend their upcoming new assets on getting weapons or finding a QB like Moore in the draft.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
