Cardinals, QB Jacoby Brissett Agree To Revised Deal

Brissett was originally set to earn $4.88MM in base salary for 2026, the final year of his deal. A raise – rather than an extension – has been sought out for an extended period in this case, with the veteran quarterback electing not to participate in spring workouts. Brissett reported on time to training camp, though, and recent indications suggested a deal would be struck in short order.

This will indeed be a new contract only covering the coming campaign. Brissett will now collect $15.5MM in base pay for 2026, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. This new pact can top out at $21MM, a far cry from the top of the quarterback market but a substantial raise compared to what Brissett was initially owed.

When Kyler Murray‘s foot injury led to an absence, Brissett took over starting duties. The offense saw an overall uptick in effectiveness, and Murray never returned to the lineup even when it appeared as though he had healed in full. It thus came as no surprise when Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort elected to cut Murray this spring, ending the former No. 1 pick’s time in the desert. That decision positioned Brissett, 33, to operate as Arizona’s QB1 for a full campaign.

Fowler’s colleague Adam Schefter confirms Brissett is still on course for free agency next year. Needless to say, his 2027 market will depend in large part on his ability to deliver a strong outing this fall while leading a Cardinals offense featuring a number of intriguing skill position contributors. Third overall pick Jeremiyah Love is expected to handle a large workload in the backfield, while tight end Trey McBride along with wideouts Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson are set to remain focal points in the passing game.

Brissett has been taking part in practice during the early portion of training camp, as noted by team reporter Darren Urban. The 10-year veteran has not, however, participated in 11-on-11 drills yet. Brissett’s lack of practice in the spring has left him adjusting to new head coach Mike LaFleur‘s offense, and a gradual approach was set to continue for however long the contract issue persisted. Now that a deal has been struck, though, Brissett should be positioned to overtake Gardner Minshew atop the depth chart for the bulk of the summer.

Minshew was added in free agency on a $5.75MM deal. Brissett, having been informed of his status as Arizona’s projected starter, naturally aimed to secure a raise reflecting that reality. On the verge of camp, it did not appear as though a resolution was imminent. Progress has clearly been made in a matter of days, and Minshew (also a pending 2027 free agent) will now prepare to handle backup duties on his latest team.

Brissett and Minshew will offer a high floor in terms of QB play for the Cardinals in 2026, although the team took Carson Beck with the opening pick of the third round in April’s draft. It will be interesting to see if Beck receives any opportunities late in the year on a Cardinals team which is not expected to be a contender this season (in no small part due to the strength of the NFC West’s other teams). In any case, the immediate future under center is now secure for Brissett and Arizona.