TEMPE, Ariz. — The Arizona Cardinals and quarterback Jacoby Brissett are still far apart in contract talks after several months of negotiation.
A source revealed that the two sides are “significantly” off from an agreement. Brissett has opted not to attend the team’s voluntary Organized Team Activities (OTAs) while he waits for a new deal for 2026. He currently has a two-year contract signed in March 2025, worth $4.88 million, with potential to rise to $5.39 million. However, only $1.5 million of that is guaranteed. In comparison, Gardner Minshew II, a recent free-agent signing, is guaranteed $5.14 million for 2026.
This contract gap raises questions about whether Brissett will participate in next week’s OTAs. The Cardinals will have a mandatory minicamp for all players from June 8-10.
Brissett had a strong performance last season, starting 12 games and ranking as the NFL’s top quarterback from Week 6 onward. His numbers were impressive: he led in dropbacks and completions and was second in passing yards while also finishing fourth in completion percentage above expected.
New head coach Mike LaFleur mentioned that negotiations haven’t progressed much since last month. He also stated that he has been in touch with Brissett but didn’t share specifics about their conversations.
Notably, earlier this offseason, Brissett was informed he is the starting quarterback for the Cardinals, a shift from March when there was uncertainty after Kyler Murray’s release.
According to recent data, quarterback contracts have been rising steadily, with the average annual salary for starting quarterbacks exceeding $40 million in the 2023 season. This trend reflects the growing value teams place on reliable quarterbacks. Experts in the field suggest that Brissett’s performance could significantly influence his next contract, especially with the Cardinals’ current roster dynamics. The situation highlights the pressures of NFL negotiations and the impact player performance has on contract value.
