Full Breakdown
Cardinals’ Quarterball Shuffle Ahead of Cowboys Preseason Clash
8/21/2026, 8:02:30 AM
Core Event: Starting QB Jacoby Brissett Will Sit, Gardner Minshew Elevated
Head coach Mike LaFleur announced that the Arizona Cardinals will not field starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett in the preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys on August 22. Veteran Gardner Minshew II will start, with fourth-string rookie Kedon Slovis a possible later option. Rookie Carson Beck remains a rib-injury concern and is not expected to play.
Background & Context
The Cardinals entered the 2026 preseason with a quarterback depth chart in flux. Brissett missed OTAs and minicamp due to a contract holdout, then posted a perfect 5-for-5, 44-yard, one-touchdown effort against the Las Vegas Raiders. The team added free-agent Gardner Minshew in March; he previously backed up Patrick Mahomes with the Chiefs and recorded a 14-of-16, 101-yard, two-touchdown line in the Raiders preseason game. Rookie third-round pick Carson Beck impressed in the Hall of Fame Game before a rib injury sidelined him. Kedon Slovis is the only quarterback to have played in both preseason games, completing 16 of 19 passes for 181 yards and one touchdown.
Timeline
- July 26, 2026: Carson Beck practices at State Farm Stadium.
- August 13, 2026: Brissett throws a perfect 5-for-5 pass set against the Raiders.
- August 20: LaFleur confirms Brissett will not play before practice.
- August 22: Cardinals vs. Cowboys preseason game; only two quarterbacks expected to dress.
Data & Statistics
- Jacoby Brissett: 5 / 5, 44 yds, 1 TD vs. Raiders.
- Gardner Minshew II: 14 / 16, 101 yds, 2 TDs vs. Raiders; listed as QB2.
- Carson Beck: 15 / 19, 188 yds, 1 TD in Hall of Fame Game; rib injury pending.
- Kedon Slovis: 16 / 19, 181 yds, 1 TD across two preseason outings; projected active in final two games.
Official Statements & Responses
LaFleur emphasized that the Cowboys game offers a chance to evaluate the quarterback depth chart ahead of the regular season. He also noted that Beck is “ramping up his practice reps” but remains unlikely to play on Saturday.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Starting quarterback: One source says Minshew will start; another suggests he may start the first half with Slovis taking over in the third quarter.
- Other starters: LaFleur declined to name additional starters, prompting speculation about left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. and center Hjalte Froholdt.
- Quarterback availability: Beck’s rib injury is confirmed, but his exact recovery timeline remains unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I don’t want to say all starters because we don’t have our starters, per se,” — Mike LaFleur
- “We felt like Sam had been a little bit more consistent,” — Brian Schottenheimer
- “They’re competing again to see [who starts] this week,” — Brian Schottenheimer
