Jets may have a shot at Jacoby Brissett after latest Cardinals quarterback move

The New York Jets were very active in the first few hours of the legal tampering period, spending over $100 million in total contracts to acquire players like Minkah Fitzpatrick, Demario Davis, and Joseph Ossai. The quarterback room, however, remains a mystery. Names like Jacoby Brissett are still very much in the running.

The Jets have been linked to names like Geno Smith and Carson Wentz over the last few days, but the current Arizona Cardinals starting quarterback has continued to linger around as a trade option. The latest quarterback move from former Jets OC Mike LaFleur in Arizona may be good news for New York.

The Cardinals agreed to a one-year contract with longtime NFL journeyman Gardner Minshew that pays him up to $8 million. That is firm backup quarterback money, and that deal comes amid some constant rumors that link LaFleur and Los Angeles Rams backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

If the Cardinals sign Garoppolo and roll into 2026 with Minshew as the backup, Brissett can be had via a trade. The Jets should be able to pounce on him if some of their preferred options end up going to other teams on the market.

Jets could trade for Jacoby Brissett after Cardinals bring in Gardner Minshew

While some local Arizona radio personalities seem to believe that Brissett is locked in as the starter in 2026, he can be had if Monti Ossenfort's price is met.

Brissett, who is fresh off throwing for 23 touchdown passes against just eight interceptions, managed to win just one of his 12 starts. However, that can be ascribed to a lame-duck coaching staff and some comically bad injury luck on both sides of the ball around him.

Not only is Brissett coming off a very productive season with Arizona, but he played under new Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich for three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. Reich reportedly values familiarity with his scheme, and Brissett can provide that.

The Jets can reportedly bring Brissett to town for as little as a Day 3 pick. With a few extra picks to spare, and many of their depth questions having been answered by their free agency spending spree, Darren Mougey might be more willing to part with some of these assets to get out in front of the competition.

Brissett wouldn't make the Jets a playoff team, but he would be an insane upgrade from the Brady Cook-levels of play they saw in past seasons.