👋 Good morning! Happy Wednesday, and welcome to the newest chapter of the Cardinals’ QB controversy.

I promise I’m capable of writing about teams other than our complicated NFL squad, but this is what happens when, well… things actually happen.

Let’s get to the latest QB update in what has become a very strange NFL season thus far:

— Alex D’Agostino, PHNX Sports Daily Editor

Jacoby Brissett Named Cardinals’ Starter

After a truly riveting Monday Night victory over the Dallas Cowboys two days ago, the status quo regarding the Cardinals’ quarterback situation seemed to remain unchanged… because head coach Jonathan Gannon said nothing had changed…

And yet, in yesterday’s press conference, Gannon delivered the news that Jacoby Brissett would start his fourth straight game this coming Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks — not Kyler Murray, again.

“Jacoby will start, Kyler will work on his health bucket,” Gannon said yesterday.

Some Cardinal fans may rejoice, while others will mourn what could be the end of an era. According to various NFL insiders, Murray has consulted with medical professionals about his mid-foot sprain. Though surgery is not on the table, he is still at risk of a setback.

So does this mean Murray is truly benched? Maybe, maybe not.

Gannon was asked by Arizona Sports about the decision, and if Brissett would have been given the nod regardless of Murray’s health.

“It’s a hypothetical to me but yeah, I like where we’re at right now with the offense moving forward,” he answered.

You be the judge of that. It could be coach-speak, or it could mean something. Arizona’s offense has been notably better with Brissett under center.

There’s no subjectivity in numbers. In three starts, Brissett has far-and-away outperformed Murray on the stat sheet. Whether that’s more on the QBs themselves or the specific playcalling can be up for debate, but the numbers themselves are clear.

Cardinals QBs By the Numbers

Kyler Murray (in five games) – 2-3 record, 68.3% completion percentage, 962 passing yards, six passing touchdowns and three interceptions with 6.0 yards per attempt. On the ground, 173 yards and one touchdown.

Jacoby Brissett (in three games) – 1-2 record, 65.2% completion percentage, 860 passing yards, six touchdowns and one interception, with 7.7 yards per attempt. On the ground, 51 rushing yards and a score.

Expanded out to five starts, Brissett is on pace for 1,433 yards, 10 touchdowns and just under two picks. Sure, we don’t know what will happen if he starts the next two games, but in terms of averages, he’s the clear leader in nearly every category.

With Brissett’s 261 yards and two passing TDs on Monday, he also became the first Cardinals QB to pass for 200-plus yards and two-plus touchdowns in three consecutive games since… Carson Palmer, a full decade ago in 2015.

It’s pretty tough to argue with that.

My Take: Gannon will never come out and say this is a benching, and in all likelihood, an injury of this nature does take some time, with significant setback risk (I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV).

Whether or not you take JG’s words to mean Murray has run his course in the Valley is less important than the fact that Brissett has run this offense more explosively and efficiently.

There is nothing wrong with riding the hot hand, especially when there is a health risk involved (whether small or large).

I, for one, want Murray to succeed. I also want Brissett to succeed. Because the Cardinals need to win games. Brissett does look like the player more capable of delivering those needed wins. It’s the right decision, for now, no matter how strange this whole process has been.

Not to mention, throwing Murray into his first game in weeks against the Seahawks and that annoyingly dangerous interior D-line feels like asking for trouble. At the very least, Brissett has operated the downfield passing attack to a higher rate of success.

Quick Hits

House-coming: The Diamondbacks officially announced J.R. House as their newest third-base and catching coach yesterday. It’s a homecoming for House (yes, you read that correctly), who spent several years in Arizona’s minor league system, managing the Hillsboro Hops and Visalia Rawhide before serving as Field Coordinator.

House will also take over working with catchers, a role previously filled by bench coach Jeff Banister.

Sun-down: The Suns attempted a comeback with an explosive third quarter, but ultimately fell to Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors 118-107 in San Francisco. Devin Booker played an excellent game, with a 38-point night on 13-24 shooting. Mark Williams contributed 16 points and an impressive 16 rebounds to match, but it wasn’t enough to overcome an early deficit.

Devilish Start: Arizona State basketball kicked off their season with a 81-64 win over the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at Desert Financial Arena last night. Senior Anthony Johnson led the Sun Devils with 17 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals off the bench, while freshman seven-footer Mor Massamba Diop had 14 points, five rebounds, two assists, a steal and three blocks.