The Baltimore Ravens have acquired veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett from the Arizona Cardinals in response to season-ending injuries to starters Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley, according to multiple reports.
The trade, first reported by ESPN and later confirmed by team and league sources, will be finalized after Thursday night’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Brissett is expected to make his Ravens debut in Week 10 when Baltimore hosts the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night Football.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
The Ravens entered Week 8 with a 4-4 record, tied for last place in the AFC North. Jackson suffered a thumb injury on the first play of the team’s 36-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills, while Huntley exited the same game with a turf toe injury. Both players were placed on injured reserve, ruling them out for at least the next four games.
With Jackson and Huntley unavailable, the Ravens elevated undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano to the starting lineup. Fagnano, who made his NFL debut in relief of Huntley, completed 10 of 21 passes for 91 yards and an interception in the loss to Buffalo. He is playing through an ankle injury but practiced fully on Tuesday.
Deeper Dive & Context: Ravens’ Quarterback Crisis
The Ravens’ quarterback situation has rapidly deteriorated. Jackson, the 2019 NFL MVP, missed the previous three games with an ankle injury before returning against Buffalo. Huntley, who had filled in capably during Jackson’s absence, suffered a season-ending toe injury in the same game. The team has since signed quarterbacks Kedon Slovis and Austin Reed to the practice squad to bolster depth.
Brissett, acquired from Arizona, brings veteran experience to Baltimore’s depleted roster. He started eight games for the Cardinals this season, completing 63.3% of his passes for 1,719 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. His tenure in Arizona was marked by inconsistency: he led the Cardinals to a 2-5 record while averaging 5.6 yards per pass attempt and throwing just one touchdown in his final three games. The Cardinals benched Brissett in favor of Gardner Minshew II after a Week 8 loss to Dallas, a decision that preceded his trade.
Cardinals’ Quarterback Shakeup
The Cardinals’ decision to bench Brissett followed a 33-30 overtime victory over Dallas, where Minshew led four consecutive touchdown drives to erase a 14-point deficit. Arizona head coach Mike LaFleur named Minshew the starter moving forward, with rookie Carson Beck elevated to the backup role. Brissett was demoted to third string, effectively ending his tenure in Arizona.
Ravens’ Playoff Hopes in Flux
Baltimore’s acquisition of Brissett reflects an urgent effort to remain competitive despite the quarterback injuries. The Ravens, who sit at 4-4, are still mathematically in playoff contention in a competitive AFC. Brissett’s presence provides a more experienced option than Fagnano, though his 2023 season has been statistically underwhelming. The team will rely on Brissett to stabilize the offense while Jackson and Huntley recover.
Thursday’s primetime matchup against the Jaguars will feature Fagnano as the starter, with Brissett expected to take over as early as Week 10. The trade deadline for in-season moves passed on Tuesday, but Brissett’s acquisition was finalized after that deadline due to the timing of the injury report designations.