Lead: Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said Monday that Kyler Murray will resume his role as the team’s starting quarterback as soon as the quarterback is medically cleared. The comment came after Jacoby Brissett delivered a strong performance in Murray’s absence, leading the Cardinals to a 27-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night. Gannon made clear he would not entertain keeping Brissett as the starter if Murray is available. The timeline depends on medical clearance for Murray’s injured foot ahead of the Cardinals’ next game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Key Takeaways
- Jonathan Gannon reaffirmed that Kyler Murray is the Cardinals’ starter when healthy; he will start if cleared for the upcoming game vs. the Seahawks.
- Jacoby Brissett went 21-of-31 for 261 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in Monday’s 27-17 win over the Cowboys.
- Statistically this season, Brissett has outperformed Murray in several metrics, a fact noted by commentators and analysts.
- Hall of Famer Troy Aikman, calling the game for ESPN, said he believes Brissett should remain the starter even after Murray is cleared.
- Gannon repeatedly declined to expand on his position beyond saying, “Nothing’s changed on that,” and, “I’ve got nothing to add on that, guys.”
- The decision ultimately rests with coaching judgment and Murray’s medical clearance, not public debate or pundit opinion.
Background
The Cardinals opened the season with Kyler Murray as their franchise quarterback, but Murray has missed time due to an injured foot. Arizona turned to veteran Jacoby Brissett as an interim starter. Brissett’s experience and steady play have made the position debate more pronounced than usual for a midseason injury. The club faces the dual pressures of winning now and managing the health of a young, high-value starter in Murray.
Coaching stability and roster investment amplify the stakes. Murray is on a team-controlled contract and has been the centerpiece of the Cardinals’ offensive planning; keeping him sidelined long-term would force a strategic shift. Gannon’s insistence on returning Murray to the starting role when healthy reflects conventional NFL practice to reinstate the designated starter once cleared, barring an overwhelmingly compelling reason not to. That customary practice, however, is not absolute and often yields to in-season performance swings.
Main Event
On Monday night in Dallas, Brissett completed 21 of 31 passes for 261 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions, guiding the Cardinals to a 27-17 victory over the Cowboys. The win highlighted Brissett’s command of the offense and raised questions among commentators and fans about whether he should remain the starter once Murray is available. After the game, reporters asked Gannon if he would reconsider his plan; Gannon responded, “Nothing’s changed on that,” and declined further comment.
Gannon emphasized that the coaching staff will follow medical guidance before making a roster decision for the next game against the Seattle Seahawks. The head coach framed the issue as straightforward: if Murray’s foot is healthy enough to play, Murray will be the starter. That stance closes the door publicly on short-term debates, even as statistical comparisons continue to fuel discussion in media and among supporters.
Troy Aikman, calling the matchup for ESPN, expressed a contrasting view, saying he believes Brissett should stay in the lineup because of his recent play. Other analysts and fans echoed that sentiment on social media and in commentary, citing Brissett’s efficiency and ball security in the Dallas game. Still, Gannon’s word is decisive for the team, and the staff will chart their course based on medical clearance and coaching evaluations.
Analysis & Implications
The immediate implication is clear: roster continuity will favor Murray if he’s cleared, which preserves the organization’s planned trajectory and investment in their franchise quarterback. Reinstating Murray aligns with long-term asset management—keeping the young starter in the lineup when healthy preserves development and consistency with franchise-building goals. From a coaching perspective, it also reinforces authority and the message that established role definitions remain in force despite short-term performance swings.
For the Cardinals’ season outlook, the choice has practical consequences. If Brissett remains the starter because Murray is not cleared, Arizona might ride momentum with a quarterback who has recently engineered a win against a quality opponent. Conversely, returning Murray could reintroduce the team’s designed playmaking abilities and return the offense to a familiar script—assuming full health. Each path carries risk: sticking with Brissett could cause long-term tension if Murray returns and expects the job; returning Murray too soon risks aggravating an injury.
Leaguewide, this case underscores an increasingly common scenario where veteran backups produce strong results and fuel public arguments to change pecking order. Coaches must weigh short-term competitive advantage against contractual, strategic and medical considerations. The Cardinals’ resolution will likely be monitored as a template by other organizations balancing starter value against interim success.
Comparison & Data
| Metric | Jacoby Brissett (Mon vs DAL) | Kyler Murray (Status) |
|---|---|---|
| Completions/Attempts | 21/31 | — |
| Passing Yards | 261 | — |
| Touchdowns | 2 | — |
| Interceptions | 0 | — |
| Game Result | Win, 27-17 | — |
The table highlights the concrete performance data available for Brissett’s start while noting that up-to-date, season-long statistical comparisons for Murray are not part of the club’s public injury updates. Analysts citing season aggregates should be cross-checked against official NFL stat sources before drawing definitive conclusions.
Reactions & Quotes
“Nothing’s changed on that. That’s how I feel.”
Jonathan Gannon, Arizona Cardinals head coach (postgame comments)
Gannon used similar language when pressed by reporters and declined to amplify his position beyond reaffirming Murray’s status as starter when healthy. He also said, “I’ve got nothing to add on that, guys,” closing off further public debate.
“I think Brissett should remain the starter.”
Troy Aikman, Hall of Fame quarterback and ESPN game analyst
Aikman’s reaction, voiced during ESPN’s broadcast, reflects a segment of pundit opinion that prioritizes recent performance over preexisting depth-chart designations. Public reaction on social platforms and local media echoed that divide.
Unconfirmed
- Whether Murray’s foot has recovered to a level that would allow him to fully execute the Cardinals’ designed offense in a live game setting remains to be confirmed by the team’s medical staff.
- No official timeline has been published by the Cardinals for Murray’s return; reported expectations in media are estimates unless confirmed by the club.
- It is unconfirmed whether any internal discussions with players or staff have occurred about changing the starting plan beyond Gannon’s public statements.
Bottom Line
Coach Jonathan Gannon has drawn a clear line: Kyler Murray is the Cardinals’ starter when he is medically cleared to play, and that policy will guide the team’s official roster decision. Jacoby Brissett’s strong outing against the Cowboys complicates public perception and provides the coaching staff with a credible short-term alternative, but it does not override the head coach’s stated plan.
For fans and observers, the key variables are objective: the medical clearance timeline for Murray and any follow-up performance evaluations once he is available. Until the club releases a medical update or the coaching staff announces otherwise, Gannon’s declaration is the operative position and will determine the lineup for the next game.
Sources
- NBC Sports (news report)
- ESPN (game broadcast commentary)
- Arizona Cardinals (official team site)