QB Jacoby Brissett Makes Decision Amid Cardinals' NFL Offseason Program
The Arizona Cardinals may not have officially named Jacoby Brissett their starting quarterback, but he is widely expected to take that role in Week 1 after the franchise moved on from Kyler Murray following a 3–14 season in 2025.
Brissett started 12 games last year and posted career highs with 3,396 passing yards and 23 touchdowns. With Arizona holding the No. 3 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and out of range for Fernando Mendoza, the veteran is the frontrunner to start in September for the Cardinals.
Arizona also added Gardner Minshew this offseason and is viewed as a frontrunner to draft Ty Simpson as a developmental option, reinforcing the idea that Brissett would open the season under center.
However, Brissett is set to earn just $9.06 million in 2026, with only $1.5 million guaranteed, a relatively low figure for a starting quarterback. He is now seeking an extension that pays him as the starter and has decided not to attend Phase 1 of the offseason program, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Sources: #AZCardinals QB Jacoby Brissett is not attending Phase 1 of the offseason program and is asking for an extension that pays him as the starter.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 17, 2026
Brissett, set to make $9.06M in ‘26, has only $1.5M in guaranteed money and wants security. AZ appears willing to address it. pic.twitter.com/tl5HdMdvnO
Originally a third-round pick in 2016, Brissett signed a two-year, $12.5 million deal with Arizona last offseason to back up Murray. He took over in Week 6 and, despite a 1–11 record as a starter, finished with 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, numbers that solidified his value as a bridge option.
Now expected to start, it is reasonable for Brissett to push for more security, whether through additional guarantees or an extra year. His current $9.1 million cap hit ranks 24th among NFL quarterbacks, though he can also earn up to $510,000 in active roster bonuses, $50,000 in a workout bonus, and $2 million in incentives.
Given his performance and Arizona's situation, more guaranteed money, it is understandable for Brissett to seek a raise and more guaranteed money, especially with Minshew set to earn $5.14 million in guarantees this season. He will likely aim to exceed that, and as Rapoport noted, the Cardinals "appear willing to address it."
However, committing to a multi-year deal at full starter value may not be the smartest move for Arizona. Brissett profiles as a bridge quarterback at best, and with the team likely to target a young passer later in the draft, a short-term solution remains the more logical path.
Related: Cardinals Make QB Decision After Releasing Kyler Murray
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published April 17, 2026 at 12:26 PM.