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Cardinals Make Definitive Quarterback Decision Following Gardner Minshew’s Heroics vs. Cowboys
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- Cardinals Make Definitive Quarterback Decision Following Gardner Minshew’s Heroics vs. Cowboys
The Arizona Cardinals entered Week 8 desperate for answers after a 30-16 home loss to the Denver Broncos. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett had thrown just one touchdown and two interceptions over his previous three games. Backup Gardner Minshew had not thrown a single pass all season, and few expected him to matter in Dallas.
Then Sunday at AT&T Stadium took a sharp turn. What happened next changed the direction of Arizona's season, and the details are worth a closer look.
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Cardinals name Gardner Minshew starting QB after Cowboys comeback
NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that Arizona is naming Minshew its starting quarterback, one day after the comeback in Dallas.
Coach Mike LaFleur confirmed the move Monday and said Minshew will lead the offense going forward. Rookie Carson Beck becomes the backup, while Jacoby Brissett moves to emergency third quarterback.
Brissett struggled after starting all eight games, going 10-of-23 for 119 yards with an interception and four sacks. LaFleur made the switch with Arizona trailing 17-3 late in the third quarter.
"I just thought we needed a spark," LaFleur told reporters.
Nov 1, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) celebrates after the win against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Minshew came in cold, yet he delivered right away. He finished 17-of-23 for 188 yards and three touchdowns, with no interceptions. Arizona scored touchdowns on four straight drives, including a 14-yard strike to Trey McBride and a 13-yard score to Michael Wilson with 10 seconds left in regulation.
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Chad Ryland missed the extra point that would have won it, but he booted a 42-yard field goal in overtime to seal the 33-30 victory over the Dallas Cowboys . Next, a look at the long and rough road that brought Minshew to this moment.
Minshew's comeback moment follows a painful knee injury
Minshew's big day carried extra weight because of how his last season ended. In December 2025, he suffered a left knee injury against the Titans while starting for the injured Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City.
Arizona signed him in March as a backup behind Brissett, who later reworked his contract to include $15.5 million guaranteed. That kept Minshew on the bench for the first eight games.
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Sunday gave him a chance to prove he is back. Minshew had not appeared in a regular-season game since December, yet he went a perfect 3-for-3 in the red zone, an area where Arizona had struggled in recent weeks.
Receiver Michael Wilson, who caught the tying score, also suffered a painful injury on a highlight play . Running back Tyler Allgeier also helped, ripping a 63-yard touchdown run and catching a short score.
The Arizona Cardinals improved to 3-5 and visit the Seattle Seahawks (4-4) on Sunday for Week 9, with Minshew now in charge. The Cowboys, also 3-5, must regroup quickly after blowing a 14-point lead at home. Both teams need momentum.
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The post Cardinals Make Definitive Quarterback Decision Following Gardner Minshew's Heroics vs. Cowboys appeared first on Gridiron Heroics .
