The Baltimore Ravens have reportedly reached an agreement to acquire Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett as they look to manage a worsening injury situation at the position. Per ESPN, both franchises have come to terms, though the exact compensation is still being determined. The deal is anticipated to be finalized this weekend.
Baltimore’s quarterback room has been hit hard by injuries to Lamar Jackson, Tyler Huntley, and Joe Fagnano, forcing the organization to seek an experienced alternative before its Week 9 clash with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Ravens quarterback injuries prompt Brissett acquisition
Jackson sustained a thumb injury that requires surgery on his first pass attempt during Sunday’s matchup against the Buffalo Bills. The seriousness of the issue means the two-time NFL MVP may be sidelined for the rest of the campaign.
His backup, Huntley, also endured a significant setback after entering the contest, suffering a turf toe injury that ends his season. That left undrafted rookie Fagnano as the probable starter for Thursday night’s encounter with Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars. However, he too is coping with an ankle issue, adding further complications to Baltimore’s predicament.
With three quarterbacks dealing with injuries, the Ravens have sought Brissett to offer some stability. While the veteran cannot match Jackson’s influence on the offense, his experience provides Baltimore with another proven option at quarterback during a crucial point in the season.
Jacoby Brissett statistics and Cardinals circumstances
Brissett has been with Arizona for the past two seasons, but his status shifted following Sunday’s thrilling win over the Dallas Cowboys. The Cardinals recently demoted him from the starting role to third string after Gardner Minshew came off the bench and threw three touchdown passes to help erase a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit.
Arizona ultimately claimed a 33-30 overtime victory, while Brissett completed 10 of 23 passes for 119 yards with one interception before being benched.
The 33-year-old, who will turn 34 next month, has completed 63.3% of his throws for 1,719 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions through eight games this season. His play has also featured a strong rapport with tight end Trey McBride.
According to CBS Sports Research, Brissett averaged 75.6 passing yards per game to McBride heading into Week 8. That marked the highest figure for a quarterback-tight end duo since 1970, among pairings with at least 15 games.
The move to Baltimore marks the second trade of Brissett’s career and will make the Ravens his seventh NFL franchise.
Brissett offers experience and notable NFL statistics
Baltimore is getting a quarterback with far more starting experience than the other healthy alternatives currently on hand. Brissett has started 73 NFL games, posting 23 victories and 50 losses, and has thrown 86 more touchdown passes than the Ravens’ remaining healthy quarterbacks combined.
His career interception rate is also noteworthy. At 1.5%, it ranks tied for the second-lowest in NFL history, trailing only Aaron Rodgers, who sits at 1.4%.
Brissett is also among five quarterbacks who have thrown for at least 4,000 yards and 25 touchdowns over the past 365 days. The group features Drake Maye, Matthew Stafford, Jared Goff, and Dak Prescott, underscoring the level of production he has achieved during that span.
Ravens hopeful Jacoby Brissett can boost playoff chances
The trade may also represent an improvement in circumstances for Brissett following a challenging stretch in Arizona. Over the past calendar year, the Cardinals have surrendered an average of 32.6 points per game, four more than any other NFL team.
Baltimore’s defensive figures have been significantly better over the same period, with the Ravens allowing 22.6 points per game. That constitutes a difference of 10 points compared to Arizona.
The Ravens currently occupy last place in the AFC North with a 4-4 record, meaning they need a strong sequence of results to bolster their playoff aspirations. Adding Brissett provides them with an experienced quarterback as they try to navigate the injury issues and keep their season on course.