ESPN Reporter Flags Jacoby Brissett as Possible Midseason Trade Candidate for Rebuilding Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett could find himself on the trade block before this season’s deadline, according to a report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, as speculation builds around how the franchise will manage its quarterback room during what many view as a rebuilding year.

Fowler’s scenario is straightforward: if Brissett plays well while the Cardinals continue to lose, the veteran could become a trade candidate at midseason. Such a move would open the door for Arizona to evaluate Carson Beck, who reportedly performed well in the preseason, before the team turns its attention to the 2027 NFL Draft — a class widely viewed as deep in quarterback prospects.

Arizona’s roster construction makes the scenario plausible. The Cardinals feature a supporting cast that includes tight end Trey McBride, running backs Jaremiyah Love and Tyler Allgeier, and receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson. That group could help Brissett post respectable numbers even if the team’s defense struggles and results on the scoreboard lag behind.

For suitors, Brissett profiles as a potential stopgap — an experienced option for a playoff contender seeking midseason help after an injury to a veteran starter. A trade would also let Arizona recoup draft compensation for a player it might otherwise bench late in the season to give Beck playing time anyway.

The speculation lands amid a busy stretch for NFL-adjacent media coverage. ESPN, the network behind Fowler’s report, is majority-owned by The Walt Disney Company, whose shares closed at $104.69 on Friday, up 0.49% from the prior close of $104.18, valuing the entertainment conglomerate at roughly $181.8 billion. Disney’s Sports segment, anchored by ESPN, remains a key distribution channel for exactly this type of NFL coverage during the season’s opening weeks.

For now, the trade talk remains hypothetical. Brissett has not been made available by the team, and Arizona’s front office has not publicly signaled any intention to move him. Still, with a rebuilding roster and a highly regarded draft class on the horizon, the veteran quarterback’s name is likely to surface in trade chatter as the November deadline approaches.

What to watch

• Brissett’s early-season performance and Arizona’s win-loss record through the first half of the schedule.
• The NFL trade deadline date, when midseason quarterback movement typically peaks.
• Any injuries to starting quarterbacks on contending teams that could create a market for a veteran replacement.
• Signs that Arizona plans to give Carson Beck regular-season snaps.

Source: original release