Overcoming the odds, while pushing back on adversity to reach goals? That's the Joey Aguilar way, as the former Tennessee fan-favorite quarterback has always been one to prove his doubters wrong. More of the same has arrived with the rookie signal-caller getting a new shot in the NFL, this time with the Arizona Cardinals.
News broke of the Cardinals signing Aguilar to their 53-man active roster. Over the weekend, quarterback Gardner Minshew suffered a UCL injury in his throwing elbow that will require surgery, which came after Arizona traded away Jacoby Brissett to Baltimore.
With Carson Beck set to take over as QB1, extra depth was needed in the desert. Enter Aguilar, who won over countless hearts in Knoxville during his lone season running Josh Heupel's offense. On a human level, this is just awesome to see for Aguilar, as he's been waiting patiently for his next opportunity.
The Cardinals are signing quarterback Joey Aguilar to the active roster, per source.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) November 10, 2026
Joey Aguilar has landed in an ideal situation with the Arizona Cardinals
After going undrafted, Aguilar signed with the Jaguars as a free agent. He had spent the year with the AFC South side on the practice squad, but with Arizona hurting at quarterback, the door was opened for the Cardinals to make a move - and it's one Aguilar must be pretty dang fired up about.
It's also been a pretty great few days for the 6-3, 215-pounder. This past weekend, Aguilar returned home to get a hero's welcome at Neyland to watch the Vols take on Kentucky. Aguilar, as expected, had plenty of time to take photos with fans, while also doing his part in the stands to help Tennessee record a win.
That went down, with the Vols dismantling Kentucky 34-6 in the highly-anticipated rivalry game. Not long after that, Aguilar has been notified that he's headed to an active roster to potentially compete for a starting job. Standing in his way is former Georgia/Miami QB Carson Beck, someone whom Tennessee is quite familiar with.
Beck has everything to lose moving forward. If he doesn't play well in the last eight games of the season, the Arizona brass will then be heavily inclined to use a first-round pick on a QB of the future next April. That's a lot of pressure on a youngster.
Aguilar is in a much better spot, as he has nothing to lose here. Say Beck plays well, which leads to Aguilar never seeing the field with the Cardinals. That'd suck, but he'd be able to learn the offense, develop a relationship with the Arizona coaches, and also enjoy the winter months in sunny Arizona. That's not too bad of a deal, while he also will no longer be paid as a practice squad player. If Beck struggles, then it will be Aguilar's time to shine.
Soak all of that in, Joey. And should his number get called, Aguilar will no question be ready to step in and deliver. We all saw that while he was with Tennessee last season, as he tossed for more than 3,500 yards, with 24 TDs. Aguilar was a joy to watch last campaign, immediately winning people over with his humble mentality. That's why so many Vols have continued to wish him the best. Go get 'em in Arizona, young man.
Add us as a preferred source on Google