Jacoby Brissett is playing on a one-year deal, and Carson Beck is a rookie third-round pick. That leaves the Arizona Cardinals without a sure long-term answer at quarterback, and Athlon Sports draft analyst Luke Easterling put the position at the top of Arizona’s 2027 NFL draft needs, ahead of cornerback, offensive line and edge rusher.
Easterling went a step further in his latest 2027 mock draft, sending Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss to Arizona at No. 6. He expects the Cardinals to chase a higher ceiling at the position even after drafting Beck, and he described Chambliss as “a poised, polished passer” whose tape outweighs concerns about his height.
Brissett’s production comes with an expiration date
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This is Arizona’s first season since releasing Kyler Murray in March, and Brissett has kept the offense moving. He completed 38 of 52 passes for 280 yards and two touchdown passes in a 36-30 loss at San Francisco on Sunday, which dropped the Cardinals to 1-2. Through three games, he ranks among the top five in the NFL in pass attempts.
The contract is what makes him a bridge. Arizona reworked his deal into a one-year, $15.5 million agreement that can reach $21 million with incentives, and he is set to become a free agent after the season. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has also floated Brissett as a possible midseason trade candidate if he plays well while the Cardinals keep losing. Beck, meanwhile, completed 72.4% of his passes for 3,813 yards and 30 touchdown passes at Miami, but Brissett has held the job so far.
The other needs on Easterling’s list showed up in that loss, too. Brock Purdy threw four touchdown passes against Arizona’s secondary, including the go-ahead 20-yarder to George Kittle with 1:31 left, and the Cardinals were flagged 10 times while settling for field goals in the red zone early. Head coach Mike LaFleur has plenty to fix in his first season.
Arizona visits the New York Giants at 1 p.m. ET Sunday on CBS. Every strong outing from Brissett helps the Cardinals now, but it won’t settle the quarterback question Easterling expects them to answer in April.
