Who Should I Start? Jacoby Brissett or Aidan O'Connell

Tuesday, March 11, 5:44 PM

Free-agent quarterback Jacoby Brissett plans to sign with the Arizona Cardinals, a source tells ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Brissett, who spent last year with the New England Patriots, will become the new backup to starter Kyler Murray in Arizona. Eleven of Brissett's 53 career starts have come with new Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing as his quarterbacks coach in Cleveland. The 32-year-old Brissett started the 2024 season as the Patriots' starter under center as they waited on first-rounder Drake Maye. In his eight appearances (five starts), Brissett struggled in a lackluster offense without many weapons, going 95-for-161 (59%) with 826 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception as a low-ceiling game manager. He is a respected veteran backup, but the Cardinals offense will be in trouble if Murray misses time with an injury in 2025.

Friday, April 11, 12:07 PM

The Las Vegas Raiders signed quarterback Geno Smith to a two-year, $75 million contract extension this offseason, but it's extremely team-friendly, and The Athletic's Vic Tafur thinks bringing in a young QB in this year's NFL draft to learn behind Smith makes sense. Tafur also thinks the Raiders might trade backup Aidan O'Connell on draft weekend. The Raiders have a clear out with Smith after 2026, as they guaranteed only $18.5 of his $26.5 million 2026 salary, and none of the $39.5 million he's due to make in 2027. Minority owner Tom Brady likes the idea of rookie QBs sitting and learning, and the Raiders will have some interesting options later in the draft in what is considered a down year for QBs. Tafur doesn't think it makes much sense to take Colorado's Shedeur Sanders at No. 6 overall, and a good number of QBs could be off the board by the team's second pick at No. 37 overall.