Jacoby Brissett Surpassed Kyler Murray


                                                           photo courtesy of nfl.com

By Walter Mitchell

Yesterday here was a tweet that received a good deal of attention from Cardinals' fans.


.
@Jballing3r
Kyler had this team in position to go 5-0, brissett had this team In weekly 20 point blowouts. I'll end my Cardinals life long fandom if he's not on this team next season.


Here was my immediate response:

Post

Conversation

Walter B J Mitchell
@WBJMItch
A few items things to note here. In Kyler's 5 games, the Cardinals were favored to win in 3 of them. In Jacoby's 12 games the Cardinals were favored in 0 of them. Jacoby faced the most difficult part of the schedule, against a host of top 10 defenses and 12 QBs all of whom have been Pro Bowlers. Secondly, the passing yards per game is misleading because they are counting the 2 games where Jacoby played but only subbed in for a play or two. In his 12 starts, Jacoby averaged 280.5 yards per game. Huge difference.
Quote
.
@Jballing3r
Kyler had this team in position to go 5-0, brissett had this team In weekly 20 point blowouts. I'll end my Cardinals life long fandom if he's not on this team next season.
Image
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Jace
@AzJace
KM had the 3 easiest games on the schedule. One went down to the wire on 4th down (missed multiple throws against the saints), the panthers game the defense scored a TD to keep them up in points (Carolina O outscored the cardinals O), the 49ers game he was late on the read during the final drive missed a wide open Michael Wilson who burnt Lenoir then was late to hit Zay Jones in stride because him to slow down on his route and gave stout the opportunity to make a play on the ball and the titans game again missed multiple throws and was inaccurate put up 21 on the worst team in the league by far at that point in the season. Could’ve also been 0-5 just as easily - the Seattle game was over, they played preventative defense to close out that game after being up 2 scores, I don’t think we were ever winning that game. This goes both ways, at the end of the day it was still under .500 with a very easy slate of games with avg-below avg play.
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The pushback regarding Jacoby Brissett from some Cardinals fans and typically from Kyler advocates has become trite:

1. A perennial backup is all he'll ever be.
2. He is a perennial loser.
3. Cardinals were not favored in any of his games because Jacoby was starting, not Kyler.
4. All his so-called success came during garbage time.

Then something occurred to me.

Back in 2019, I was the first AZ writer to make the case that despite the Cardinals having drafted Josh Rosen in 2018, with the #1 pick in 2019 they should draft Kyler Murray and trade Josh Rosen. 

I don't think there was a bigger fan of Kyler Murray than I was, save for Kliff Kingsbury. 

And for Kyler's first 40 games as the QB of the Cardinals, I was feeling extremely happy with how Kliff, Kyler and the team were progressing. Things were falling into place. Heck, even JJ Watt shocked the NFL word by signing in Arizona and expressing faith in QB Kyler Murray's ability to lead the Cardinals on a path to the Super Bowl. 

Then came the infamous ending of the Green Bay game and, from that point on, Kyler Murray and the Cardinals have never been the same.

In February of 2022, when Kyler scrubbed his socials of all things Cardinals'-related and I had been informed by a trustworthy source that he was hoping the Broncos or the Cowboys would trade for him, my staunch allegiance to him and my confidence in him ended.

Since that day, here is what I have learned about Kyler's top priorities have been while playing for the Cardinals:

While Kyler is at times an absolute wizard with the football in his hands and can delivers some of the most breathtakingly highlight-reel plays imaginable, his priorities have been as follows:

1. Easy Money. The t-shirt said it all.

2. Self-Preservation. Aka the "3rd and Give up Offense."

3. Playing strictly on his own terms. "I don't feel like running today." "If I am not feeling 100%, I am not going to play."

4. Trying to win putting forth the least possible amount of effort. He has repeatedly bemoaned that he shouldn't have to be Superman for the team to win. This, in a league where week after week, QBs like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield are eagerly donning the Superman cape, often playing through injuries, to try to do everything they can to win games for their teams. 

5. Crapping out on his own coaches. "Calm the fuck down." "I just run the plays the coaches call."

Why Jacoby Overpassed Kyler
. 
The profound irony that struck me with the force of a Wile. E. Coyote cartoon anvil yesterday was how I have experienced the complete reverse impressions of Jacoby Brissett.

I don't think any AZ writer was more against the Brissett signing as I was. Having watched him struggle mightily during his 5 starts for the Patriots in 2024, I was convinced that his days as a highly paid backup were coming to an end. 

So, when the Cardinals signed him to a 2-year $12.5M contract with $8M guaranteed, I thought (a) it was two years too late (should have happened in 2023 instead of McCoy and Dobbs); and (b) that the Cardinals have lost their minds.

But then over the summer, I heard from a 100% reliable source that the Cardinals' coaches had been fearing that Kyler Murray was pretty much maxed out in their system and that the coaches wanted a viable plan B at QB in the case that Kyler would continue to fall short of their expectations. 

Jacoby's Brissett's availability and his familiarity with Drew Petzing's offense was the clincher. That, and the fact that they could sign Jacoby for two years if he should reward their confidence in him. 

I remained high doubtful that Jacoby had what it takes to make his case for QB1, but when the pre-season games started, Jacoby looked so confidently in command of the offense that I began to think, well, maybe there is something to this. 

Therefore, what I witnessed during Jacoby's best 12 game stretch as a downfield passer in the NFL not only blew my mind, his tenacious and relentless level of play caused me out of sheer respect to him to re-assess my outlooks on him. 

Going back to what I learned about Kyler, it occurred to me how Jacoby manifests the complete reverse of those priorities.

1.Easy Money? With Jacoby top priority has very little to do about money.

2. Self-Preservation? Jacoby's toughness in the pocket is textbook. The Cardinals have a true pocket now because of Jacoby's willingness to hang in there, step up and make downfield strikes. He's not afraid to get knocked on his ass in the process. Plus, Jacoby has put a merciful end to the "3rd and Give Up" offense. Even 3rd and 14s have become doable. 

3.  Playing on his own terms? Dude is not holding back anything. He's giving it everything he's got.

4. Trying to win with the least amount of sustained effort? Jacoby, no matter what, is a highly focused, highly motivated 60-minute QB. And he wears the cape. He's not saving the day yet in terms of wins, but he's making every effort to knock on the door given the chances he's had. 
 

5. Crapping on his coaches? Not only has Jacoby Brissett been very appreciative of Drew Petzing, Jacoby has a lot to do with why Dan Campbell and the Lions hired Drew as their new offensive coordinator. 

Tough break in Indy

I keep harkening back to the Colts game in Week 6 (Jacoby's first start) when Jacoby marched the offense down inside the 10-yard line with a chance to complete such a stunning upset and on the most critical play of the game how the Colts got away with such a blatant hold on Trey McBride in the end zone that, if properly flagged, would have put the ball on the 1-yard line for a 1st and goal, with 58 seconds left.

10 Plays 78 Yards 3:39 IND 31 ARI 27

9-yd Pass
4:26 - 4th
J.Brissett pass short right to T.McBride to ARZ 22 for 9 yards (M.Blackmon).
1st & 10 at ARI 13
1-yd Run
4:19 - 4th
Z.Knight up the middle to ARZ 23 for 1 yard (Z.Franklin).
2nd & 1 at ARI 22
14-yd Pass
3:37 - 4th
J.Brissett pass short left to M.Carter to ARZ 37 for 14 yards (C.Bynum).
1st & 10 at ARI 23
12-yd Run
2:56 - 4th
K.Beachum reported in as eligible. J.Brissett scrambles up the middle to ARZ 49 for 12 yards (Z.Franklin).
1st & 10 at ARI 37
9-yd Run
2:13 - 4th
(Shotgun) M.Carter right tackle to IND 42 for 9 yards (Z.Franklin).
1st & 10 at ARI 49

(2:00 - 4th) Two-Minute Warning

30-yd Pass
2:00 - 4th
(Shotgun) J.Brissett pass deep left to Mi.Wilson to IND 12 for 30 yards (J.Edwards).
2nd & 1 at IND 42
3-yd Pass
1:16 - 4th
(Shotgun) J.Brissett pass short middle to G.Dortch to IND 9 for 3 yards (D.Buckner).
1st & 10 at IND 12

(1:10 - 4th) Timeout #1 by IND at 01:10.

Incompletion
1:10 - 4th
(Shotgun) J.Brissett pass incomplete short middle to M.Carter.
2nd & 7 at IND 9
Sack
1:06 - 4th
(Shotgun) J.Brissett sacked at IND 9 for 0 yards (K.Paye).
3rd & 7 at IND 9

(0:58 - 4th) Timeout #2 by IND at 00:58.

Incompletion
0:58 - 4th
(Shotgun) J.Brissett pass incomplete short left to T.McBride [L.Latu].
4th & 7 at IND 9

Some will call this missed holding call an excuse. But what that win could have meant to Jacoby, Trey and the team might have been a confidence builder and it could have gotten the team to 3-3 after such a bitter loss at home to the Titans.

Going back to what I learned about Kyler, it occurred to me how Jacoby manifests the complete reverse of those priorities.

1.Easy Money? With Jacoby top priority has very little to do about money.

2. Self-Preservation? Jacoby's toughness in the pocket is textbook. The Cardinals have a true pocket now because of Jacoby's willingness to hang in there, step up and make downfield strikes. He's not afraid to get knocked on his ass in the process. Plus, Jacoby has put a merciful end to the "3rd and Give Up" offense. Even 3rd and 14s have become doable. 

3.  Playing on his own terms? Dude is not holding back anything. He's giving it everything he's got.

4. Trying to win with the least amount of sustained effort? Jacoby, no matter what, is a highly focused, highly motivated 60-minute QB. And he wears the cape. He's not saving the day yet in terms of wins, but he's making every effort to knock on the door given the chances he's had. 
 

5. Crapping on his coaches? Not only has Jacoby Brissett been very appreciative of Drew Petzing, Jacoby has a lot to do with why Dan Campbell and the Lions hired Drew as their new offensive coordinator. 

Is Jacoby's #7 passing offense and #9 3rd down conversion percentage worth building on in 2026?

Here's what he has going for him:

1. The "want to." Dude is as hungry to prove himself as anyone.

2. The confidence and enthusiasm he has generated from his teammates.

3. Generated because of the extra time and effort he puts into syncing up the passing game with all of his receivers. Not only the sheer precision he showed helping to lead trey McBride and Michael Wilson to 1,000-yard seasons with 15 TDs combined, but Jacoby had tuned Zay Jones into a relevant WR before Zay was injured. He connected big-time with Marvin Harrison Jr. during the win over the Cowboys before Marv had his health struggles. And Jacoby fed the Dortch in a number of key occasions. The way he meshes with his receivers through added on the field reps and film studies is Matthew Stafford-esque.

4. Per Mike LaFleur's criteria for what he looks for in a QB, Jacoby Brissett checks the boxes, especially in terms of toughness in the pocket. 

The Two Most Common Critiques:

"The Cardinals were not favored in any of Jacoby's starts because of Jacoby."

Does anyone consider what defenses and QBs that Jacoby Brissett went up against?

ARI 28.7 points allowed minus IND 24.2 points allowed = +4.5 ppg
6. IND - +4.5 ppg --- Daniel Jones --- IND-D 24.1 papg --- ARI 27
7. GB - +7.6 ppg, Jordan Love --- GB 21.2papg --- ARI 23
8.
@DAL
- (-1.4 ppg) Dak Prescott --- DAL 30.1 --- ARI 27
9.
@SEA
- +11.5 ppg, Sam Darnold --- SEA 17.2 --- ARI 22
10. SF - + 5.9 ppg, Brock Purdy --- SF 21.8 --- ARI 22
11. JAX - + 7.9 ppg, Trevor Lawrence --- JAX 19.8 --- ARI 24
12.
@TB
- + 4.5 ppg, Baker Mayfield --- TB 24.2 --- ARI 17
13. LAR - + 8.3 ppg, Matthew Stafford --- LAR 20.4 --- 17
14. HOU - +11.3 ppg, C.J. Stroud --- HOU 17.4 --- ARI 20
15. ATL - +5.1 ppg, Kirk Cousins--- ATL 23.6 --- ARI 19
16.
@CIN
(-0.2) ppg, Joe Burrow --- CIN 28.9 --- ARI 14
17.
@LAR
-+8.3 ppg, Matthew Stafford --- LAR 20.4 --- ARI 20

In Jacoby's 12 starts: 

ARI Offense: 21.0 ppg; 
ARI Defense: 32.7 ppg
 
How is that a fighter's chance?

And let's not forget:

Missing players: 

RB1 --- 14 games
RB2 --- 13 games
TE2 --- 13 games 
WR1 --- 5 games
WR 3 --- 9 games
WR4 --- 5 games
LT ---5 games 
LG --- 6 games
RG --- 10 games
RT --- 8 games

Most of Jacoby Brissett's passing yards came at garbage time:



Let's just get the facts straight for once and for all. Jacoby Brissett's 868 passing yards in garbage time was 3,366 was 25.8%. Therefore, the claim that "most of Jacoby Brissett's passing yards came at garbage time" is completely false. 


Besides, for fans to discredit Jacoby Brissett, Trey McBride, Michael Wilson and the offense for playing hard the entire 60-minutes is akin to these same fans who are were urging and now are still urging the Cardinals to tank games --- this type of urgings from quitters is a manifestation of sheer and egregious disrespect to the players who risk their livelihoods to play this game with great effort and a never quit attitude.

It's the Cardinals players who played the game one way as hard they could all the time who not only have been inducted in the Cardinals' Ring of Honor but some have been inducted in the NFL Hall of Fame.

Larry Fitzgerald always played hard at garbage time --- should you call Canton and have them take away Larry's garbage time yards and TDs and yellow jacket? 

Back in the blistering hot Sun Devils Stadium years, whenever the Cardinals were getting embarrassed, Larry Centers would go into absolute beast mode.

What Jacoby Brissett gave the Cardinals this year in terms of effort and toughness is a testament to his football character and leadership. Watching him ball his heart out for every minute of his 12 starts was an honor during a season. where so of the defensive players and Cardinals' fans quit.

And to all of the quitters and tankers out there trying to discredit Cardinals' players who tried their hardest right to the bitter end, go screw. You are a poison to the team and its players.

Even AI has a stronger understanding of the situation: (per Google)

In 2025-2026, Jacoby Brissett significantly outperformed and outplayed Kyler Murray for the Arizona Cardinals, taking over as the starting quarterback after a season-ending foot injury to Murray. Brissett provided a superior, more stable pocket-passing offense, leading the team to better statistical production and higher scoring output than the injured, often mobile Murray, leading to potential offseason trade discussions for Murray.


This is a story of two NFL quarterbacks with vastly different priorities.





 




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