Cardinals’ near-upset of Colts brings new kind of problem to Arizona

The Cardinals’ latest loss comes with silver linings and a new kind of problem:

A most welcome quarterback controversy in Arizona.

Following a thrilling 31-27 road loss to the Colts, the Cardinals must honor results and not contracts. They must install Jacoby Brissett as their starting quarterbacking moving forward, regardless of Kyler Murray’s injury status.

In defeat, Brissett was that impressive.

It went beyond the numbers, or how Brissett threw for over 300 yards in his first start in Arizona, a mark Murray has surpassed just once in his past 14 games.

It was how Brissett commanded the field. How patient he looked in the pocket. How willing he was to stand and deliver, unflinching in the face of impending violence and imminent contact.

Brissett’s professional skillset unlocked a stagnant offense. He kept the faith after Zay Jones blundered a couple of plays and was handsomely rewarded. He made a much-maligned group of receivers look better than average. He made Drew Petzing a much-improved play caller.

There was no panic at the disco and no glitchy moments with the veteran Brissett, who has now played for six different NFL franchises. He was a revelation that brought much-needed clarity to the Valley. He renewed faith in the entire coaching staff.

It’s also a stinging indictment of Murray.

The Cardinals clearly trust Brissett more than they do the incumbent. They remained aggressive and succeeded on numerous third-and-long situations, the high-risk plays that are always surrender moments with Murray. And even though the Cardinals’ comeback fell short, at least they were throwing the ball to their best player (Trey McBride) on the final play of the game.

If the Cardinals do the right thing at the position, the question will be simple: Can Brissett sustain this level of competence and production? If so, we may have seen the end of Murray’s time in Arizona.

Brissett nearly beat one of the hottest quarterbacks in football in Daniel Jones, a player that Brissett also mirrors. After last season, Jones bet on himself. He signed with the Colts because he knew he could take Anthony Richardson’s job, and now he’s an MVP candidate. Just like Brissett surely came to Arizona knowing he brought attributes Murray sorely lacks, namely real height (6-foot-4) and real pocket presence.

Brissett also helped the Cardinals flush a traumatic loss to the Titans, a game that temporarily put Jonathan Gannon’s future in the crosshairs; where one NFC West player said his violence toward Emari Demercado is the kind of event that “can change a locker room.”

Even though they have now lost four consecutive games by a combined nine points, there was no quit in the Cardinals on Sunday. To the contrary, there was hope for a brighter future at the game’s most important position.

Reach Bickley at dbickley@arizonasports.com. Listen to Bickley & Marotta from 6 a.m. – 10 a.m. on Arizona Sports.

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