Por Renan Filho · 2026-11-04**Lead**
The Baltimore Ravens have acquired veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett from the Arizona Cardinals in a trade prompted by a spate of injuries to their quarterback room, multiple reports confirmed Tuesday. The move comes after starting quarterback and reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson suffered a knee injury in Week 12, and backup Tyler Huntley was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder issue. The Ravens, holding a 9-3 record and leading the AFC North, have turned to Brissett — a proven journeyman with 54 career starts — to stabilize the position down the stretch and through the playoffs.
**Context**
The Ravens' quarterback crisis escalated quickly. Jackson, 28, left the Week 12 game against the Los Angeles Chargers after sustaining what the team described as a PCL sprain. Initial evaluations suggested he could miss two to four weeks, but subsequent reports indicated the injury may be more serious, casting doubt on his availability for the remainder of the regular season. Huntley, who had served as Jackson's primary backup since 2020, suffered a separated throwing shoulder during a practice rep last Friday. The team placed him on IR, meaning he must miss at least four games.
Facing a critical December schedule that includes divisional games against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns, Baltimore's front office acted quickly. According to multiple league insiders, the Ravens sent a conditional late-round draft pick to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for Brissett, who had been serving as a backup to rookie Kyler Murray in Arizona. The trade compensation is believed to be a sixth-round choice in the 2027 draft that could escalate to a fifth-rounder based on playing time, though exact terms have not been officially disclosed.
Brissett, 33, entered the NFL as a third-round pick of the New England Patriots in 2016. He has started for three different franchises — the Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, and Cleveland Browns — and has a career record of 20-34 as a starter. His most notable stint came with the Colts in 2017, when he threw for 3,098 yards with 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions while filling in for an injured Andrew Luck. More recently, he started 11 games for the Browns in 2023, completing 61.3 percent of his passes for 2,608 yards, 12 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. His experience in AFC North games, having played for Cleveland, provides familiarity with Baltimore's divisional rivals.
**Analysis**
This trade underscores the Ravens' aggressive approach to contending in a wide-open AFC. With Kansas City, Buffalo, and Miami all jockeying for playoff position, Baltimore cannot afford to lose momentum during a soft patch in their schedule. Head coach John Harbaugh has a history of leaning on veteran backups — in 2022, he turned to Huntley after Jackson's ankle injury and still managed to win a playoff game. This time, the Ravens have chosen a more seasoned replacement. Brissett is not a dynamic playmaker like Jackson, but he operates well within structure, protects the football, and has enough arm strength to attack the seams. His presence should allow offensive coordinator Todd Monken to keep the offense functional without overhauling the game plan.
The acquisition also sends a signal about the team's confidence in rookie quarterback Josh Johnson, who had been elevated from the practice squad after Huntley's injury. Johnson, a sixth-round pick in 2025, has appeared in only two regular-season games and was not considered ready to lead a playoff push. By trading for Brissett, the Ravens are prioritizing immediate stability over development. The cost — a conditional late-round pick — is negligible, making the deal a low-risk, high-reward move.
From Arizona's perspective, the trade frees up cap space and opens a roster spot for a younger developmental arm. The Cardinals, languishing at 4-8, are looking toward the future and have no need for a veteran backup behind Murray. Brissett's $3.5 million salary for the remainder of the season will be absorbed by Baltimore, who now have sufficient cap room after restructuring contracts earlier in the year.
**Fontes**
This report is based on information from multiple league sources, including team officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade had not yet been officially announced. Details were confirmed by NFL Network, ESPN, and The Athletic. The Ravens have not issued a formal press release, but the trade is expected to become official on Wednesday once Brissett passes a physical.