The Arizona Cardinals are trending in the wrong direction heading into Week 9. While they enjoyed their bye week in Week 8, the team will be looking to snap a five-game losing streak when they return to action on Monday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys.
Making this game more interesting is the fact that the Cardinals‘ quarterback situation is relatively murky. Kyler Murray seemed set to be on track to return from a foot injury this week, but he may not be ready in time for the game, which would force backup Jacoby Brissett back into action. On Saturday, head coach Jonathan Gannon revealed which of these guys will draw the start when his team takes the field against the Cowboys.
Jacoby Brissett Set to Start for Cardinals vs. Cowboys
Murray picked up a foot injury in the Cardinals’ Week 5 loss to the Tennessee Titans, and he ended up missing Arizona’s next two games, with Brissett filling in under center for him both times. While he hasn’t been able to lead the team to victory, you can actually make a case that Brissett has been better than Murray during his limited time on the field.
In his two starts, Brissett has thrown for 599 yards and four touchdowns, while also rushing for 45 yards on nine carries. In five starts, Murray has thrown for just 962 yards and six touchdowns, in addition to rushing for 173 yards and another score. It’s a small sample size, but it’s fair to wonder if the team feels Brissett gives them a better shot of winning right now.
While Murray was limited at practice throughout the week, Brissett continued to get action with the team’s No. 1 offense, indicating that he was in line to start against the Cowboys. Sure enough, Gannon confirmed that Brissett will start over Murray, although he did note that Murray could have a role on the team’s offense.
“Cardinals QB Jacoby Brissett will start Monday night vs. the Cowboys,” Adam Schefter of ESPN shared in a post on X. “Kyler Murray is making progress from his foot sprain, and could have a role Monday night, but Brissett will start.”
Did the Cardinals Just Bench Kyler Murray for Jacoby Brissett?
Getty Arizona Cardinals QB Jacoby Brissett will start vs. Dallas Cowboys
Murray is still dealing with his foot injury, but Gannon’s wording almost makes it sound like the team is disguising this move as a benching of sorts. If Murray could have a role on offense, why wouldn’t he just start under center? It’s certainly a complicated situation, because if Brissett struggles, the team would need an excuse to turn things back over to Murray.
Given how much money the Cardinals are paying Murray, they likely aren’t going to outright bench him just yet, but if Brissett turns in another strong outing in Week 9, the team could be put in a tough situation moving forward. For now, Brissett is the guy leading the offense, and he will look to help his squad get back in the win column when they take the field at 8:15 p.m. ET on Monday night.
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