Who Should I Start? Jacoby Brissett or Sam Darnold

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.

Thursday, June 19, 12:24 PM

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold had a career year in 2024 with the Minnesota Vikings, completing 66.2% of his passes for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 17 regular-season games to lead Minnesota to a 14-3 record. However, the former third overall pick in 2018 finished on a sour note in his final two games and knows he must prove himself again in 2025 with a new team. Darnold has familiarity with new Seattle offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak from their one year together in San Fran in 2023, but the move from Minnesota to Seattle is definitely a downgrade in terms of overall offense and the weapons he'll have in Seattle. The 28-year-old was excellent throwing downfield in 2024, but it helped to have one of the best receivers in the league in Justin Jefferson. Fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting a repeat of 2024, when Darnold finished as the QB9.