Revenge of the Birds
Two days ago, the Arizona Cardinals were saying that starting QB Kyler Murray would start on Monday Night Football on the road against the Dallas Cowboys. On Saturday, they pulled back and announced that backup QB Jacoby Brissett would be the starter instead.
Why?
RELATED: CARDINALS TO START BRISSETT ON MONDAY NIGHT
Did they believe that Murray was physically able to start? Did they believe his 9-0-0 lifetime win streak in AT&T Stadium was the best bet to winning? Did Murray have a relapse? Was there a misdiagnosis?
Or, is he healthy, and by playing him, he might become injured again? Because perhaps the new plan is that the franchise wants to trade him?
The NFL trade deadline is this upcoming Tuesday, November 4, at 4:00 pm (Eastern). Perhaps the front office has a contingency plan in place just in case the Cardinals drop the game against Dallas and fall further behind in the standings, currently sitting at 2-5-0.
Is the plan now, to trade Murray?
Several teams in the league require an experienced quarterback. The New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings come to mind right off. Other teams like the Tennessee Titans, Washington Commanders, and Carolina Panthers have also been mentioned as potential candidates for a quarterback change. The Cleveland Browns have two rookies in their QB room, plus a practice squad guy.
If Brissett can beat the Cowboys and their 32nd-ranked defensive backfield, then maybe Arizona will set the plan in motion.
Perhaps that is why they are not starting Murray on Monday Night. If he gets injured again, he is then damaged goods. That means any possible trade would become null and void.
On Saturday, Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon told Josh Weinfuss with ESPN Arizona:
“Obviously, that position’s a little bit different because you got to have a plan ready. It’s just he’s not quite there yet.”
Gannon then mentioned that Brissett would start, but Murray could have a role. He said:
“I’m not trying to be coy, but there’s a lot of different scenarios that can happen in two days that you would make the decision what’s best for the player and best for the team [for] that be the case. So, you probably don’t know what I mean, but I think you do know what I mean.”
A decision for what’s best for the player and best for the team? Murray could have a role? We thought he was still injured. Right?
Brissett has started two games, and although the end result was a pair of losses, the offense was suddenly moving up and down the field all game long. Brissett averaged 299.5 passing yards a game and has thrown four touchdowns against a single pick.
Gannon acknowledged Brissett’s performance:
“He’s got really good command, understands what we’re trying to get done with each play, and he’s a vet that he doesn’t really get fooled a lot.”
The Cardinals’ offense is looking better in terms of cohesion and production with Brissett...
