Arizona Cardinals quarterback Gardner Minshew
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 21: Gardner Minshew #17 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 21, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
The Arizona Cardinals missed out on quarterback Malik Willis today, who signed with the Miami Dolphins.
Willis was likely Arizona’s top choice at the position, but they had to pivot after his signing.
Now, the Cardinals have pivoted by signing quarterback Gardner Minshew II to a one-year, $5.75 million contract, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero.
Tom Pelissero
Veteran QB Gardner Minshew is signing with the Cardinals on a one-year, $5.75 million deal, per source. He can make up to $8M with incentives.
After the parting of ways with veteran quarterback Kyler Murray, it appears that Minshew will back up incumbent quarterback Jacoby Brissett for the 2026 season, according to Arizona Sports insider John Gambadoro.
This is a strange turn of events for Arizona after missing out on the top free-agent quarterback.
What Does Minshew Bring to the Arizona Cardinals?
After a prolific year at Washington State, where he was fifth in Heisman voting, Minshew declared for the NFL Draft.
The Jacksonville Jaguars took Minshew in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. In his rookie year (2019), he dazzled.
In 14 games (12 starts), Minshew threw for 3271 yards, 21 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. ‘Minshew Mania’ had begun.
However, it was mostly downhill from that point forward.
In 2020, he started just eight games, going 1-7. After an injury and subsequent benching, his season was over.
The Jaguars would take quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the No. 1 overall pick, trading Minshew to the Philadelphia Eagles.
More to come…