The Baltimore Ravens opened November with Lamar Jackson expected to carry the offense through the season’s most important stretch. Instead, they head into Thursday without their starting quarterback, and the room behind him has thinned to an undrafted rookie.
That has pushed Baltimore outside its roster. The Ravens are finalizing a trade for Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett, with the deal expected to become official this weekend.
The Ravens Trade For a Super Bowl Champion
Lamar Jackson Injury Pushes Jacoby Brissett Into Ravens Starting Role
Jackson went down with a right thumb injury in the Week 8 loss to the Buffalo Bills. He landed on injured reserve, which rules him out for at least four games.
Tyler Huntley left the same game with a turf toe injury that ended his season. Losing both in one afternoon turned the Ravens’ plan beyond Jackson into a deadline problem.
Joe Fagnano is set to start Thursday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The undrafted rookie completed 10 of 21 passes for 91 yards with one interception against Buffalo, taking three sacks in his first extended action.
The Ravens are 4-4 after three straight losses, and they sit last in the AFC North. That record explains why Baltimore shopped for trade deadline help around the division rather than waiting.
Brissett Brings 73 Career Starts
Brissett has played 109 NFL games, including 73 starts. He has started for the New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders.
That history gives Baltimore a quarterback who has handled several systems. His 2026 season with the Cardinals was far less settled.
Brissett started Arizona’s first eight games before the Cardinals moved to Gardner Minshew. He completed 193 of 305 passes for 1,719 yards and 10 touchdowns, with seven interceptions and a 79.7 passer rating.
Those numbers sit below his 2025 production. Brissett made 12 starts for Arizona last season, completing 315 of 485 passes for 3,366 yards and 23 touchdowns, with eight interceptions and a 94.1 passer rating.
The benching still matters. Baltimore is not buying Brissett’s 2026 numbers but his experience, since the Ravens need someone who can take regular NFL snaps while Jackson recovers.
Baltimore Will Need a Different Offense
Brissett would require Baltimore to adjust its offense. Jackson creates problems with his running ability, a major part of how the Ravens move the ball.
Brissett would offer a more traditional passing approach, putting greater weight on Derrick Henry and the running game, with shorter throws and more work for the defense.
Baltimore would need to protect the ball and sustain drives. Anything beyond that would put too much pressure on its new quarterback.
Brissett will not be available Thursday because the deal is not expected to be completed until this weekend. Fagnano starts against the Jaguars, and Baltimore gets a clearer option for the weeks after.
Ravens Still Have Work to Do
The trade does not remove the larger problem created by Jackson’s injury. Baltimore must play at least four games without him, and his timetable beyond that is uncertain.
The Ravens are 4-4 after losing three straight games. That leaves little room for another slide if Baltimore wants to remain in contention.
Brissett cannot recreate Jackson’s full skill set. The offense will have to find a different way to produce, and the trade cannot change that.
The immediate goal is simpler. Baltimore needs an experienced quarterback who can start while Jackson is out, and Brissett supplies one.
The Last Word
The trade fixes Baltimore’s most obvious roster problem without pretending the offense can stay the same. Jackson’s injury removed the quarterback who drives much of the running game, and Huntley is gone for the season.
Brissett brings 73 career starts and recent experience in Arizona. He is a bridge rather than a replacement.
He will miss Thursday’s game against the Jaguars and is expected to take over for Week 10 against the Los Angeles Chargers if the deal becomes official.
His 2026 numbers are not strong, but 2025 provides a better reference point. Whether that experience keeps the offense productive without Jackson is the question after Thursday.
Main Image: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
