Who Should I Start? Josh Johnson or J.J. McCarthy

Monday, November 9, 3:49 PM

The Arizona Cardinals signed veteran quarterback Josh Johnson off the Cincinnati Bengals' practice squad on Monday to give them more depth at the position with veteran QB Gardner Minshew II (elbow) potentially out for the rest of the year with a UCL injury in his right elbow, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Cardinals will be Johnson's 15th NFL team in 14 NFL seasons. The Cardinals traded veteran Jacoby Brissett to the Baltimore Ravens, so with Minshew potentially done for the year due to injury, the Cardinals need some insurance behind rookie Carson Beck, who will be making his NFL debut if he starts in Week 10 against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams. The 40-year-old Johnson did not play at all for the Bengals this year after appearing in five games (two starts) for the Washington Commanders in 2025, when he threw for 372 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions on 54 pass attempts. The Cardinals will be hoping that Beck will get some good experience in the second half of the season without having to turn to Johnson at all.