The Baltimore Ravens are finalizing a trade to acquire quarterback Jacoby Brissett from the Arizona Cardinals, a move intended to stabilize the team’s roster following injuries to Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley. The transaction is expected to be completed over the weekend, according to NFL Network and ESPN.
Financial Terms of the Agreement
The financial structure of the deal involves a restructuring of Brissett’s contract to accommodate the Ravens’ salary cap. Field Yates of ESPN reported that Arizona converted $2.7 million of Brissett’s remaining $5.4 million base salary into a signing bonus. This maneuver shifts financial responsibility toward the Cardinals, allowing Baltimore to avoid absorbing the full salary obligation.
This adjustment dictates the Ravens’ financial responsibility based on the timing of the finalization:
Trade: The #Ravens are finalizing a trade for former #AZCardinals QB Jacoby Brissett, per me and @AdamSchefter, filling the void left by the injuries to Lamar Jackson and Tyler “Snoop” Huntley. The deal is expected to be completed this weekend. pic.twitter.com/RWhT1LQ2fc
- If the trade is completed Thursday, Baltimore would be responsible for $2.7 million in base salary.
- If the trade is finalized after Thursday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the liability for the Ravens would be approximately $2.43 million.
Brissett’s contract, which includes performance incentives that could increase his total compensation, was part of a one-year, $15.5 million fully guaranteed agreement reached this summer. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent following the conclusion of the season.
Quarterback Emergency in Baltimore
The Ravens entered the week with significant depth concerns at the quarterback position. CBS Sports reported that Lamar Jackson suffered a thumb injury requiring surgery, while Tyler Huntley sustained a season-ending turf toe injury. Undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano is slated to start Thursday night against Jacksonville. The team also added quarterback Austin Reed to the practice squad on Monday to add depth to the position.
Brissett, 33, brings 11 seasons of NFL experience to the Ravens. Over his career, he has started 73 games, posting a 23-50 record while throwing for over 16,000 yards, 86 touchdowns, and 39 interceptions. He is also recognized for ball security, maintaining a career interception percentage of 1.5%. He started the first eight games of the 2026 season for Arizona, recording 1,719 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Before his benching, his average of 75.6 yards per game to tight end Trey McBride was the highest mark by a quarterback-tight end duo since 1970.
Familiarity with Coaching Staff
Brissett will reunite with Ravens QB coach Israel Woolfolk, with whom he worked in Arizona and in Cleveland in 2022. This existing rapport is expected to assist the veteran in adapting to offensive coordinator Declan Doyle’s system.
Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur addressed the transition following the benching, stating, Out of respect for the process, I’ll let the process play out with that,
before noting he expected the situation to resolve in the next few days.
Brissett May Debut in Week 10 Against the Chargers
While the trade is being finalized, the agreement will not be official in time for Brissett to participate in the Thursday night game. The Big Lead reported that Brissett is expected to make his debut for Baltimore in Week 10 during the Monday night matchup against the Chargers. The Ravens currently hold a 4-4 record and sit in last place in the AFC North.
Trade: the Arizona Cardinals are finalizing a trade to send QB Jacoby Brissett to the Baltimore Ravens, per @RapSheet and me. Deal is expected to be completed this weekend. The Ravens lost QB Lamar Jackson to a thumb injury, and his backup Tyler “Snoop” Huntley to turf toe. pic.twitter.com/sGpFSxYc5u