Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon announced this past week that quarterback Kyler Murray would not play again in the 2025 season. The team was eliminated from playoff contention after their 20–17 road loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The result is definitely playing a role in Gannon’s decision-making, but the truth is that Jacoby Brissett has been playing out of his mind in Murray’s absence. The 32-year-old has been starting since Week 6, and the offense has looked much more in sync with him under center.
Sure, the Cardinals have now strung together four straight losses, but the team has seen a plethora of injuries all over the field. Marvin Harrison Jr., Walter Nolen III, Will Johnson, and others have all missed time in 2025. However, that hasn’t stopped Brissett from slinging the ball downfield, as he has relied on Michael Wilson and Trey McBride as his top pass catchers.
In Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams, Brissett has done everything he could to keep the team in the game. Completing 13-of-18 passes for 154 yards and a touchdown, Brissett has continued to survey the field and make aggressive throws that give his receivers a chance.
Michael Wilson, who is filling in for Harrison once again on Sunday as the team’s wide receiver No. 1, found the endzone in the first quarter to give the team the lead.
Unfortunately for Brissett and Arizona, the defensive injuries have been incredibly difficult to overcome, and an excellent performance by Matthew Stafford has the Rams in the lead.
Stafford committed three turnovers a week ago, which led to Los Angeles having their six-game winning streak snapped at the hands of the Carolina Panthers.
The Cardinals trail the Rams 24–17 at halftime, and it will be interesting to see how Brissett and company rally out of the halftime locker room.