Arizona’s On SI publisher Donnie Druin said Jacoby Brissett was benched and later traded, with Gardner Minshew II set to start against Seattle in Week 9.
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The Seattle Seahawks are preparing for their Week 9 matchup against NFC West rival Arizona, and Arizona’s current quarterback situation is already shaping up as a central storyline heading into the game.
Arizona benched Jacoby Brissett after what Donnie Druin described as stagnant offensive production, including quick releases that nonetheless often went to a first read. Druin said Arizona was “justified” in benching Brissett after Gardner Minshew immediately led the Cardinals to four straight scoring drives.
Druin added that once Brissett was moved to quarterback three, trading him was an “easy decision,” and he credited Arizona with getting “a fourth-round pick back.”
When asked about Minshew as the starter for this week, Druin said he remains “50/50.” He argued that backup quarterbacks can find success early, but noted opposing defenses typically get enough film over the next few weeks to adjust. Druin also said the Cardinals will have the chance to prepare with an actual week of gameplanning, while also pointing to what he described as a tough Seahawks defense with a “chip on their shoulder.”
Druin said the biggest surprise for Arizona this season has been injuries, describing a number of key players landing on injured reserve and explaining that the team had hoped for better health after a previous season in which multiple players were banged up.
Looking ahead to what could decide the game, Druin suggested familiarity as a factor, saying Arizona has updated film on Seattle from this season and that results can improve for the team coming off the initial matchup. He also said Arizona is not “massively overlooked” in this spot given a “new spark at quarterback” and what he described as a recently better defensive output.
For a game outcome, Druin’s score prediction was Seahawks 28, Cardinals 21.
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