Andrew Buller-Russ
After four consecutive years of missing the playoffs (three under coach Jonathan Gannon), the Arizona Cardinals realized it was time to make changes. Yet, despite having a new head coach with a new offense, the Cardinals could enter the 2026 NFL season with the same starting quarterback, Jacoby Brissett.
However, Brissett isn’t happy with the Cardinals right now, because he’s set to make just $4.8 million as a starting QB. Thus, he’s staying away from the team’s OTAs, which are entirely voluntary.
Still, Brissett is missing out on valuable opportunities to learn and master first-year head coach Mike LaFleur’s offense. Plus, his absence opens up chances for other Cardinals quarterbacks to impress, which feels like a risky proposition for a 33-year-old QB heading into the final year of his contract.
That’s especially true, considering his grip on the starting job likely isn’t that strong with the new regime. That same regime has since brought in two new quarterbacks to Arizona: free-agent signee Gardner Minshew and third-round rookie Carson Beck.
Recently, Sports Illustrated‘s NFL insider Albert Breer suggested that the longer Brissett stays away from the Cardinals, the more it opens the door for a different starting QB to take flight.
“The Jacoby Brissett situation in Arizona is interesting in that Brissett missing reps in a new offense now, as OTAs keep rolling, could open the door for Gardner Minshew II to swoop in and steal the job. Yes, Arizona told Brissett that he’s the starter. But that’s not a lifetime appointment, and Minshew showing something could have an impact on Arizona’s thinking.”
SI’s Albert Breer on Cardinals QB1
The Cardinals aren’t even holding a starting QB competition, but Brissett’s absence could effectively open up the discussion. Brissett ranks 31st in average contract value, so we understand why he’s upset with his salary. Still, he’s putting himself at risk of being on the fast track to becoming a backup again, and that won’t help him maximize value after a career year either.
We’ll see which side flinches first, but the Cardinals shouldn’t be too afraid to offer Brissett the opportunity to earn more money after he clearly outperformed his contract last season. Yet, the Cardinals likely realize that Brissett probably won’t be the team’s starting QB by the time the season ends, and they won’t want to be paying a backup top dollar either.
It’s a tricky situation, and as ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss recently reported, the Cardinals and Brissett are “significantly” far apart in contract negotiations. This story might have a few more chapters ahead.
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