Ravens Set to Acquire Jacoby Brissett Amid Quarterback Crisis
Baltimore is finalizing a trade for the veteran signal-caller after injuries sidelined Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley, leaving rookie Joe Fagnano to start Thursday's game against Jacksonville.
By Austin Reed ·
The Baltimore Ravens are in the process of trading for veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett from the Arizona Cardinals. The move responds to a sudden collapse at the quarterback position following Sunday's 36-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Reports from ESPN and NFL Network indicate the deal is being finalized, though it is not yet official. The compensation package has not been made public.
The need for a new starter became immediate when Lamar Jackson injured his right thumb on his first pass attempt of the week. The team placed Jackson on injured reserve for thumb surgery, which could end his season. Backup Tyler Huntley entered the game and suffered a toe injury reported as season-ending. Rookie Joe Fagnano, the third-stringer, finished the contest and is dealing with a right ankle injury.
Brissett, a 33-year-old with 11 years of NFL experience, has started 73 games in his career. The Ravens would be his seventh team in seven seasons. His most recent stint with Arizona ended with a demotion to third on the depth chart after head coach Mike LaFleur benched him during a win over Dallas. LaFleur declined to confirm the trade, telling reporters he would let the process play out with respect for the situation.
The connection between the two teams offers a potential advantage for a quick transition. Israel Woolfork, the Ravens' quarterbacks coach, coached Brissett in Arizona in 2025 and in Cleveland in 2022. This familiarity could help Brissett learn a new offense in a short timeframe.
Brissett's 2025 season was his best statistically, with a completion percentage of 63.3%. Pro Football Focus notes his career interception rate of 1.5%, the lowest among quarterbacks with at least 2,500 pass attempts since 2000. He reworked his contract with Arizona this offseason, reportedly signing for $15.5 million for the 2026 season.
The Ravens face the Jacksonville Jaguars at M&T Bank Stadium on Thursday, Nov. 5. Joe Fagnano is set to start the game at 8:15 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime Video. He becomes only the second undrafted rookie to start a game in franchise history. Baltimore is 10-point home underdogs against the 5-2 Jaguars, their largest home spread in 11 years.
The team is 4-4 and sits last in the AFC North. Eight regular-season games remain on the schedule. The Ravens signed Kedon Slovis to the 53-man roster after claiming him from Green Bay and added Austin Reed to the practice squad. These moves provide depth while the trade with Arizona is completed.
Once the trade is finalized, Brissett is expected to make his debut in Week 10 against the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night Football. The team has not provided a return timeline for Lamar Jackson after his surgery. The deal is expected to be completed by the weekend.
The Ravens' official website cited the reports from Adam Schefter but had not announced the transaction as of Thursday morning. The front office is working to secure a veteran presence to stabilize the offense for the remainder of the season.
