GLENDALE – The comeback against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday afternoon was about much more than another victory for Arizona Cardinals fans. It was about finally seeing something different at quarterback. The Cardinals’ comeback victory brought plenty of excitement, but the biggest storyline wasn’t just the scoreboard. It was the emergence of Gardner Minshew and the growing frustration surrounding Jacoby Brissett.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) throws passes in front of quarterback Carson Beck (19) during organized team activities at the Cardinals Training Facility in Tempe on May 27, 2026. Credit: Arizona Republic
MINSHEW MAGIC OH MY! https://t.co/KCtTmz4Av4
— NFL (@NFL) November 1, 2026
Brissett entered the season with expectations, particularly after his offseason contract situation, but his struggles continued to frustrate Arizona. Despite moving the football, the Cardinals repeatedly struggled to finish drives in the red zone. Eventually, the coaching staff had seen enough. Many expected Arizona to turn to third-round rookie Carson Beck. Instead, Minshew got the opportunity, and he made the most of it.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) throws a pass against the Seattle Seahawks during a game at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. on Sept. 20, 2026. Credit: Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Minshew completed 17 of 23 passes for 188 yards and three touchdowns, immediately sparking the offense Arizona desperately needed. Combined with Tyler Allgeier’s contributions, the Cardinals mounted a comeback that stunned Dallas and extended their impressive winning streak at AT&T Stadium.
Cardinals fans react to Gardner Minshew’s comeback:
Gardner Minshew is this generations Ryan Fitzpatrick
— Zain M (@ZMnsr1) November 2, 2026
Jacoby Brissett demanded more money from the Cardinals just to get benched and watch Gardner Minshew have a game tying touchdown and game winning drive lmao
— Splash and Furious 🐬 (@SplashnFurious) November 2, 2026
Down 17-3. QB benched. Kicker misses a PAT. Arizona STILL leaves Jerry World with a 33-30 OT win. Gardner Minshew, Tyler Allgeier and one Trey McBride chirp (“You’re a first round pick?! For what?!”) ruined Dallas’ Sunday. #NFL
— McBisonEntertainment (@McBisonEnt) November 2, 2026
Also, we may need to look at Drew Petzing and that offense last year and the ensuing performance of Jacoby Brissett and Kyler Murray, and look no further than Gardner Minshew thriving.
It might be that he was handicapped by his quarterbacks
— Blake Allen Murphy (@blakemurphy7) November 2, 2026
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) throws passes during organized team activities at the Cardinals Training Facility in Tempe on May 27, 2026. Credit: Arizona Republic
The reaction from Cardinals fans reflected just how badly they wanted this change. Social media quickly filled with celebrations of Minshew’s performance and criticism of Brissett. For a fan base growing increasingly impatient with the offense, watching a new quarterback deliver touchdowns instead of settling for red-zone frustration was a welcome change. Regardless of what comes next, Minshew has given Cardinals fans something valuable, which is hope. After watching the offense struggle, that might be just as important as the victory itself.
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
