Jacoby Brissett Trade Update: Why He Won't Play for Ravens on Thursday and What the Deal Costs

A day after reports that the Baltimore Ravens are finalizing a trade for Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett, the deal is still not official, and that means he will not suit up for Baltimore on Thursday night. Here is what is new as of Thursday, Nov. 5, including the reported salary cap math and when Brissett is expected to make his Ravens debut.

Is Jacoby Brissett playing tonight?

No. Brissett is not yet on the Ravens’ roster, so he is ineligible to play in Thursday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, USA Today reported. Multiple reports say the trade will not be officially completed until the weekend, and until then Brissett remains on the Cardinals’ roster.

Undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano is set to make his first NFL start against Jacksonville at M&T Bank Stadium. Ravens head coach Jesse Minter announced that plan on Tuesday, Nov. 3, according to USA Today. In his first NFL action last week against Buffalo, Fagnano went 10 of 21 for 91 yards with an interception.

Brissett is expected to make his Ravens debut in Week 10 against the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night Football, according to NFL.com and the Ravens’ website.

What the trade reportedly costs each team

Compensation still has not been reported, and neither team has announced the deal. The new detail since Wednesday is the salary cap impact, based on figures from Spotrac cited by Sports Illustrated:

Those are outside estimates, not team-announced numbers, and they could change depending on the final terms. NFL.com had noted that the Cardinals reworked Brissett’s contract in the offseason, and the Ravens’ website cited Spotrac for a $1.3 million base salary entering the season.

Ravens quarterback depth chart right now

According to USA Today, Baltimore had two active quarterbacks ahead of Thursday’s game:

• Joe Fagnano: undrafted rookie, starting vs. Jacksonville
• Kedon Slovis: signed Tuesday, Nov. 3
• Lamar Jackson: out (thumb), needs surgery and is expected to miss at least four games
• Tyler Huntley: out (toe), reportedly done for the season

USA Today reported that Jackson and Huntley are expected to land on injured reserve in the coming days. It also said Skylar Thompson is on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury, and Austin Reed re-signed to the practice squad on Nov. 2.

USA Today’s figure of at least four games for Jackson is more specific than earlier reporting. Some outlets had said his thumb surgery could cost him the rest of the season. The Ravens have not given a formal timeline.

Brissett’s 2026 numbers

Through eight starts with Arizona, per USA Today:

• 193 of 305 passing (63.3%)
• 1,719 yards, 10 touchdowns, seven interceptions
• 79.7 passer rating
• 29 rushes for 87 yards, no fumbles lost

The Cardinals benched Brissett during their Week 8 overtime comeback win over Dallas, with Gardner Minshew taking over. Coach Mike LaFleur later made Brissett the No. 3 quarterback behind Minshew and rookie Carson Beck, which opened the door to a trade.

A familiar journey

Baltimore will be the 33-year-old’s seventh NFL team once the trade becomes official. USA Today listed his previous stops as the New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, Washington Commanders and Cardinals. NFL.com noted he reunites with Ravens quarterbacks coach Israel Woolfolk, who worked with him in Arizona and Cleveland. That familiarity could help him pick up the offense quickly before the Chargers game.

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Earlier coverage: Jacoby Brissett Trade: Ravens Finalizing Deal for Cardinals QB After Lamar Jackson, Tyler Huntley Injuries (Nov 4)