Kyler Murray remains the Cardinals’ best player after superstar Jacoby Brissett’s outing

The Arizona Cardinals moved to 3-5 on Monday night thanks to a 27-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett was one of the stars of the game, crushing the hapless Cowboys defense, completing 67.7% of his passes for 261 yards and two touchdowns. He rushed to get another degree.

Brissett became the second player in Cardinals franchise history to pass for 250 yards, two touchdowns and rush for a touchdown on “Monday Night Football,” joining Jim Hart in 1974, according to CBS Sports Research. Brissett has played well in place of the injured Kyler Murray over the past three games. In fact, that’s good enough to spark debate about the medium.

After the win in Dallas, reporters asked Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon if Murray would still be the starting center fielder upon his return.

“Yes, nothing has changed about that,” Gannon said. “That’s how I feel.”

Reporters continued to ask if Brissett’s performance was good enough to earn a deeper opportunity.

“I have nothing to add to these guys,” Gannon said.

After Murray suffered a foot injury in a Week 5 loss to the Tennessee Titans, Brissett was elevated to the starting position. In a competitive 31-27 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, he threw for 320 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, followed by a 279-yard, two-touchdown performance in a 27-23 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 7.

One could make an argument that Brissett was the better quarterback.

Cardinals QBs this season

Yards per attempt	6.0	7.7
Total TDs	7	7
Transitions	4	2
Passerby classification	88.6	102.5

The Cardinals’ arms also benefited from the change under center. Marvin Harrison Jr. caught a career-high seven passes for 96 yards and a touchdown against the Cowboys, while Trey McBride became the third tight end in NFL history to have five assists in 10 straight games, joining Travis Kelce and Tony Gonzalez. He had four touchdowns in three games with Brissett starting, and just one touchdown in five games with Murray.

Gannon explained that Murray is the starting quarterback when he is healthy enough to return to the lineup. But how short will Murray’s leash be if the Cards’ offense returns to struggle? Arizona is having a short week, traveling to take on the rival Seattle Seahawks next Sunday.