Jacoby JaJuan Brissett Bio
Jacoby JaJuan Brissett is an American professional football quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). Following a stint with the Florida Gators, he played college football for the NC State Wolfpack and was selected by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft. Brissett was traded to the Indianapolis Colts after his rookie season, where he was their primary starter in 2017 and 2019. He spent his next four seasons alternating as the starter and backup with the Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, Washington Commanders, and Patriots before joining the Cardinals in 2025.
Early Life and Background
Brissett was born on December 11, 1992, in West Palm Beach, Florida. He later attended William T. Dwyer High School in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Rivals.com ranked him as a four-star recruit and the third best dual-threat quarterback of his class. He committed to play college football at the University of Florida in February 2011. After beginning his college career at Florida, Brissett transferred to NC State in January 2013 after sitting out the 2013 season due to transfer rules. He took over as the Wolfpack’s starting quarterback for 2014, where he passed for 2,606 yards with 23 touchdowns and five interceptions. As a senior in 2015, he passed for 2,662 yards and 20 touchdowns with six interceptions.
Path to American Football
Brissett’s journey to professional football began in high school where he established himself as a top dual-threat quarterback prospect. His college career began at Florida where he served as a backup to starter John Brantley in 2011, making his first two career starts when Brantley was injured. In his sophomore season, he competed with Jeff Driskel for the starting position. After transferring to NC State, Brissett utilized the 2013 season to adjust to his new environment before becoming the starting quarterback in 2014. His college performance demonstrated both his passing ability and versatility as a dual-threat quarterback, which positioned him for the NFL draft.
Jacoby JaJuan Brissett Career
Early Career (2016–2019)
Brissett was selected by the New England Patriots in the third round with the 91st overall pick in the2016 NFL draft. He was the fifth quarterback selected that year and the only player in the draft who declined to hire an agent. He signed a four-year rookie contract with the Patriots on June 16, 2016. Brissett made his NFL debut in Week 2 of the 2016 season after starter Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a shoulder injury. He made his first career start in Week 3 against the Houston Texans, completing 11-of-19 passes for 103 yards and rushing for a touchdown. After being placed on injured reserve for thumb surgery, he returned to help the Patriots win Super Bowl LI in his rookie season.
New England Patriots Breakthrough (2016–2020)
Brissett’s time with the Patriots was marked by his adaptability and resilience. After beginning his career as a backup, he became the first African-American quarterback to start for the Patriots in 2016. While his first stint with the Patriots was primarily in a backup role, it provided valuable experience for his NFL career. He appeared in 11 games over two seasons with the Patriots, completing 111 passes for 1,158 yards with 4 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. His ability to perform effectively in limited opportunities demonstrated his preparedness for increased responsibilities in future seasons.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2017–2020)
Brissett was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in September 2017 after Andrew Luck suffered an injury. He made his debut with the Colts in Week 1, earning his first start the following week. In his first season with the Colts, Brissett passed for 3,098 yards with 13 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. He had his breakout game in Week 4 against the Browns with 259 passing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns. After returning to a backup role in 2018, Brissett became the full-time starter in 2019 following Luck’s retirement. In 2019, he passed for 2,942 yards with 18 touchdowns and 6 interceptions while leading the Colts to a 7-9 record. He signed a two-year, $30 million contract with the Colts during this period.
Miami Dolphins Era (2021)
On March 18, 2021, Brissett signed a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins, reuniting with Dolphins head coach Brian Flores who had been his linebacker coach with the Patriots. Brissett served as the primary backup to Tua Tagovailoa in 2021, making his first start in Week 3 against the Raiders after Tagovailoa suffered an injury. In six games with the Dolphins, he finished with 1,283 passing yards, 5 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions while adding a rushing touchdown. His performance demonstrated his ability to step in effectively when called upon, maintaining offensive continuity.
Cleveland Browns Era (2022)
On March 25, 2022, Brissett signed a one-year contract with the Cleveland Browns. Due to Deshaun Watson’s suspension, Brissett was named the Week 1 starter and played every offensive snap in each of the Browns’ first eleven games. He led the team to a 4-7 record with 2,608 passing yards and 14 total touchdowns while completing 64% of his passes for an 88.9 passer rating—both career highs. His 2022 season showcased his ability to handle the pressures of being an NFL starter while maintaining consistent performance throughout the season.
Washington Commanders Era (2023)
On March 16, 2023, Brissett signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Washington Commanders. Initially serving as a backup, he made his first appearance in Week 15 against the Rams after Sam Howell was benched. Brissett recorded 124 yards and two touchdowns in that game. The following week against the Jets, he led three straight touchdown drives to take the lead in a 30-28 loss. In December 2023, he was named the starter for Week 17 but injured his hamstring during practice and was ruled out. His brief time with the Commanders demonstrated his value as a reliable backup who could provide immediate impact when called upon.
New England Patriots Second Stint (2024)
On March 15, 2024, Brissett signed a one-year deal to return to the New England Patriots. He was named the starting quarterback over rookie Drake Maye to begin the 2024 season. Brissett led the Patriots to an upset victory against the Bengals in the opening game of the season, winning 16-10. After losing four straight games, he was benched in favor of Maye in Week 5. However, he returned in Week 8 and led a game-winning drive against the Jets, throwing for 132 yards. His second stint with the Patriots demonstrated his ability to contribute in various roles from starter to backup.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2025–Present)
On March 14, 2025, Brissett signed a two-year, $12.5 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals. After an injury to Kyler Murray, he was named the starter for Week 6. In his first start, he threw for 319 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 31-27 loss to the Colts. He recorded his first win as a starter for the Cardinals in Week 9 against the Cowboys, throwing for 261 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for one touchdown. In a Week 16 game against the 49ers, Brissett completed 47 of 57 passes for 452 yards, setting an NFL record for most pass completions in a regular season game. In the 2025 season, he finished with 3,366 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions with a rushing touchdown.
Playing Style and Strengths
Brissett has established himself as a reliable quarterback with strong mobility and the ability to make plays both through the air and with his legs. His game features a strong arm capable of making all NFL throws, particularly effective in medium-range passing situations. He demonstrates good awareness in the pocket and can extend plays when the initial break down. Brissett’s ability to run the ball effectively has been a consistent asset throughout his career, particularly in short-yardage situations. His experience as a backup across multiple organizations has made him adaptable to different offensive schemes.
Notable Events and Milestones
Brissett’s career includes several notable achievements. He became the first African-American quarterback to start for the New England Patriots in 2016. In 2017 with the Colts, he passed for 314 yards against the 49ers, setting a career high that stood until 2019. His 2017 season with the Colts saw him accumulate 3,098 passing yards while leading the team despite a 4-12 record. In Week 7 of 2019, he was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for 326 yards and four touchdowns against the Texans. In 2025, he set the NFL record for most completions in a single game with 47 against the 49ers.
Jacoby JaJuan Brissett Career Wins
Throughout his NFL career, Jacoby Brissett has accumulated wins across multiple teams while demonstrating consistent performance as both a starter and backup. His versatility and adaptability have made him a valuable asset to every organization he has played for, particularly in situations where injuries forced him into immediate action. Brissett has shown the ability to step into starting roles and lead teams to victories, including multiple game-winning performances in his career.
New England Patriots Highlights
During his first stint with the Patriots, Brissett contributed to the team’s success, helping secure a Super Bowl LI victory in his rookie season. While primarily serving as a backup, he appeared in 11 games, providing reliable performance when called upon. His 2016 season with the Patriots included a notable performance in his first career start against the Houston Texans, where he completed 11-of-19 passes for 103 yards and rushed for a 27-yard touchdown in a 27-0 victory.
Indianapolis Colts Highlights
Brissett’s most significant starting roles came with the Indianapolis Colts. In 2017, he earned his first victory as a starter in Week 4 against the Browns with 259 passing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns. In 2019 following Andrew Luck’s retirement, Brissett started 15 games for the Colts, throwing for 2,942 yards with 18 touchdowns. His most notable performance came in Week 7 of 2019 against the Texans when he threw for 326 yards and four touchdowns, earning AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. His Week 3 performance in 2019 against the Falcons included completing his first 16 pass attempts.
Miami Dolphins Highlights
While serving as a backup to Tua Tagovailoa in 2021, Brissett stepped in effectively when needed. His most significant contribution came in a Week 3 start against the Raiders where he provided steady quarterback play in relief. His 2021 season with the Dolphins saw him finish with 1,283 passing yards and 5 touchdowns in limited action, demonstrating his ability to maintain offensive continuity when called upon.
Cleveland Browns Highlights
Brissett’s 2022 season with the Browns showcased his ability to handle starting duties effectively. Starting 11 games in place of the suspended Deshaun Watson, he led the team to a 4-7 record while setting career highs in completion percentage (64%) and passer rating (88.9). His performance against the Steelers in Week 12 included two rushing touchdowns, highlighting his ability to contribute as a dual-threat quarterback.
Washington Commanders Highlights
During his brief time with the Commanders in 2023, Brissett made significant impacts in relief roles. His most notable performance came in Week 16 against the Jets where he led three consecutive touchdown drives in the second half, nearly pulling off a comeback victory. His ability to step into games with the Commanders demonstrated his readiness to perform at a high level regardless of preparation time.
Arizona Cardinals Highlights
In his first season with the Cardinals in 2025, Brissett made significant contributions while filling in for the injured Kyler Murray. He recorded his first win as a starter for the Cardinals in Week 9 against the Cowboys, throwing for 261 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing touchdown. His most remarkable performance came in Week 16 against the 49ers where he completed 47 of 57 passes for 452 yards, setting an NFL record for completions in a single game. His 2025 season concluded with 3,366 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
Jacoby JaJuan Brissett Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Brissett was born on December 11, 1992, in West Palm Beach, Florida. He attended William T. Dwyer High School in Palm Beach Gardens where he developed his football skills. His family background includes his parents, though specific details about his family lineage are not widely documented in public records. Brissett has maintained a focus on his professional football career while keeping personal family information private throughout his NFL journey.
Personal Life
As a longtime backup quarterback in the NFL, Brissett has appeared in a Progressive Insurance ad campaign featuring other backup players. While maintaining a relatively private personal life, he has focused on his professional development and performance throughout his career. Brissett has demonstrated a commitment to football excellence through his dedication to preparation and consistent performance, regardless of his role on any given team. His approach to the game has earned him respect around the league as a reliable and professional quarterback.
2025 Season Performance
In his first season with the Arizona Cardinals, Jacoby Brissett has established himself as a capable starter when given the opportunity. After stepping in for the injured Kyler Murray in Week 6, Brissett demonstrated consistent improvement throughout the season. His most notable performance came in Week 16 against the San Francisco 49ers where he completed 47 of 57 passes for 452 yards, setting an NFL record for completions in a single game. Brissett’s 2025 season concluded with 3,366 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, showing his ability to lead an NFL offense effectively. His performance with the Cardinals demonstrated his readiness to handle starting duties while providing stability to the team during Murray’s absence. As the Cardinals continue to develop, Brissett’s experience and proven ability to perform under pressure make him a valuable asset for the team’s future.