The Baltimore Ravens added Austin Reed to their practice squad Monday, but their search for quarterback help may not need to end with a familiar preseason arm.
Arizona Cardinals veteran Jacoby Brissett has emerged as a logical name to monitor after head coach Mike LaFleur promoted Gardner Minshew II to the starting job. Rookie Carson Beck will serve as Minshew’s backup, dropping Brissett to third on Arizona’s quarterback depth chart.
There is no report that the Ravens have contacted the Cardinals or are actively pursuing Brissett. However, his availability, starting experience, and connection to Baltimore quarterbacks coach Israel Woolfork make him a reasonable potential target before the NFL’s Nov. 10 trade deadline.
Brissett has history with Ravens quarterback coach
Woolfork spent three seasons as Arizona’s quarterbacks coach before joining Jesse Minter’s Ravens staff in 2026. He worked directly with Brissett last season, when the veteran produced one of the most productive stretches of his career. Brissett threw for a career-high 3,366 yards and 23 touchdowns in 14 appearances, including 12 starts, in 2025. Arizona responded by reworking his contract, guaranteeing him $15.5 million for 2026 with incentives that could increase its value to $21 million.
The 33-year-old began the season as Arizona’s starter but was replaced by Minshew during Sunday’s game against Dallas after completing 10 of 23 passes for 119 yards and throwing an interception. Minshew led the Cardinals to a 33-30 overtime victory, prompting Arizona to make the change permanent entering Week 9.
Baltimore’s interest would make sense because Woolfork already understands Brissett’s strengths, preparation habits, and command of a quarterback room. That familiarity wouldn't eliminate the challenge of learning Declan Doyle’s offense during the season, but it would give the Ravens more information than they would have on most available veterans.
Contract and compensation could complicate a trade
Brissett would give Baltimore an experienced starter while Lamar Jackson recovers from right thumb surgery. Jackson is headed to injured reserve and must miss at least four games, while Tyler Huntley’s availability remains uncertain because of turf toe. Joe Fagnano is currently the Ravens’ only healthy quarterback on the active roster. Reed provides practice-squad depth and familiarity with the offense, but he has never attempted a regular-season NFL pass.
The Cardinals have already guaranteed Brissett’s 2026 compensation, and his contract carries a $10.365 million salary-cap chargebefore accounting for any trade. He is scheduled to become a free agent after the season. Arizona would also have to decide whether it is comfortable moving its most experienced quarterback and leaving Beck as the only reserve behind Minshew.
Brissett is unlikely to arrive in time to master the offense before Thursday night’s game against Jacksonville. He could, however, provide a more experienced option for the remainder of Jackson’s injured-reserve absence. The connection is logical, but Baltimore’s willingness to absorb the remaining salary and Arizona’s asking price will determine whether it becomes more than speculation.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Could Jacoby Brissett be a trade option for the Ravens?
