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Gardner Minshew
QB · ARI

Gardner Minshew

Position QB
Team ARI
Bye Week —
PPR Rank —

Gardner Minshew

NFL player. Position: QB. Team: ARI.

Quick Facts

  • Position: QB
  • Team: ARI (Arizona Cardinals)
  • Career record: 17-30 as starter

2026 Outlook

Minshew signed with the Arizona Cardinals on a one-year contract as a backup to Jacoby Brissett in March 2026. However, new HC Mike LaFleur has left the door open for a QB competition in training camp rather than immediately naming Brissett the starter. With Carson Beck (rookie, 3rd round) and Shedeur Sanders (second-year) also in the mix, Minshew could see significant reps in early system installation (per Arizona Cardinals haven't told Jacoby Brissett he's the 2026 starter).

During mandatory minicamp in early June, Minshew led the first-team offense when Brissett conducted a hold-in, signaling that the Cardinals are comfortable with backup contingency plans (per Jacoby Brissett to end hold out, report to Arizona Cardinals mini-camp). By mid-June, Minshew saw majority first-team reps throughout organized team activities and minicamp, with LaFleur acknowledging the QB competition has "ramped up" and praising the intensity among all four quarterbacks competing. Despite Brissett being the projected and reported starter, his hold-in, coupled with Minshew's strong showing in OTAs, leaves genuine uncertainty about the Week 1 starter heading into training camp. (per Cardinals not naming QB1 ahead of training camp, but competition has 'ramped up' - Arizona Sports)

As Arizona commits to Beck long-term, Minshew has emerged as a potential trade deadline candidate — expendable if the Cardinals aren't contending and want to see what they have in the younger QB (per 13 NFL players that could shake up the trade deadline in 2026 - usatoday.com).

Trade target following Dart's injury (Sept 23): Following Jaxson Dart's season-ending knee injury with the Giants, Minshew is being floated as a potential trade option for New York. The Giants are evaluating stopgap QB solutions since they cannot rely solely on backup Jameis Winston. Minshew's experience as a reliable backup (played behind Patrick Mahomes with Kansas City Chiefs in 2025, earning high praise from HC Andy Reid) makes him an attractive veteran option for a team suddenly without its starting QB. Minshew carries a $5.75M salary in 2026 with a $5.24M dead cap, and UFA status in 2027. (per NFL Trade Rumor: New York Giants urgently linked to $33M Arizona Cardinals QB amid suspected Jaxson Dart)

Career resume: Eight NFL seasons with six teams (Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts, Las Vegas Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, Arizona Cardinals). Career line: 1,100 completions on 1,742 passing attempts for 11,987 passing yards, 68 TDs, 35 INTs over 63 games with 88.0 career passer rating and 63.1% completion percentage. Career-best passer rating came twice: 91.2 in his rookie year with Jacksonville (285 completions, 3,271 yards, 21 TDs, 6 INTs in 14 games) and 104.8 with Philadelphia (41 completions, 439 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT in 4 games). (per NFL Trade Rumor: New York Giants urgently linked to $33M Arizona Cardinals QB amid suspected Jaxson Dart)

Role / Depth Chart

Backup. Competing with Brissett, Carson Beck, and Shedeur Sanders for snaps during camp.

Injury Status

Healthy.

Recent News

Open Questions

Sources

Coaches shaping Gardner's role

Mike LaFleurHead CoachNathaniel HackettOffensive CoordinatorChris CookAssistant Offensive LineJustin FryeOffensive LineMatt SchaubQuarterbacks

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