The Arizona Cardinals are preparing for their first regular-season game this Sunday with Jacoby Brissett under center. Doubt still hangs in the air regarding Kyler Murray’s return. Brissett took first-team reps all week in practice. This perhaps provided the starters with a vital buffer period to adjust to his heliocentric style of play. His experience and comfort level with a similar offensive scheme brings a lot of confidence to the club. They think he’s a player who rises to the occasion.
Brissett’s practices created an interesting opportunity for the rest of the offense to get used to how he works through plays, though. Contrary to Murray, who usually took snaps in the shotgun formation, Brissett likes to be under center. This shift required adjustments from the offensive line and skill players alike, as they embraced a different rhythm and tempo. Throughout the three days of camp, Brissett commanded the huddle. His commanding presence and confidence made an impression on his teammates.
Brissett had an early practice pratfall with a wide open Simi Fehoko 20 yards downfield, and taking the incompletion to nowhere instead. He didn’t take long to demonstrate his passing talents right after that. He connected on five of his nine passes that went 15 yards or more downfield. This pass alone already matched the total completions of that distance for Murray in any game this year. He closes like a pro on deeper routes, flashing his high-end ability. More than anything, this skill digs deeper into his developing relationship with the receiving corps.
Brissett took an active role in shaping the game plan, communicating with offensive coordinator Drew Petzing about which plays he favored and which ones he did not. This collaborative discussion and ongoing communication allowed for the offensive game plan to be adapted to better complement Brissett’s strengths, leading to a more fluid execution on game day.
Even Trey McBride, perhaps the second most important player on the team behind Kyler Murray, was left impressed by what he saw from Brissett in the huddle.
“The way he came in there and knew exactly what to do,” – Trey McBride
That attitude was apparent in Brissett’s presence during practice, with his teammates commenting on his calmness of mind and composure. Coach Jonathan Gannon noted that Brissett’s experience, accumulated over ten years in the league, contributes significantly to his poised attitude.
“There’s no panic in his game,” – Coach Jonathan Gannon
Brissett’s previous experience running a version of the Cardinals’ offensive scheme with the Cleveland Browns in 2022 played a critical role in his preparedness. His comfort level with Petzing and quarterbacks coach Israel Woolfork created a strong working relationship. This connection came in handy in the joint practices leading up to the game.
As the week went on, Brissett still further established that he was at ease and prepared for what’s to come. Jake Evan Brown underlined Brissett’s approach of late. Fans shouldn’t expect him to be able to lean on designed runs, he cautioned, even though Brissett does know how to execute plays on big moments.
“You’re not going to see Jacoby pull the ball on a zone read and run it too often,” – Evan Brown
Support from his teammates helped build Brissett’s confidence going into the game. More than anything, they told me, he brought a calming presence that set the tone in the locker room.
That he’s ready for Sunday’s matchup is a product of both his deep experience and better preparation over the past week. It would be an uphill battle with their starting quarterback, but it’s an almost impossible ask with the injury they’re facing at that position. With Brissett running the show, optimism is soaring!
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