The Arizona Cardinals just threw some serious cash at Jacoby Brissett, bumping his guaranteed pay for 2026 to a massive $15.5 million, with a chance to hit $21 million if he earns all his incentives. This isn’t just a small raise, folks, it’s a huge jump from the $4.88 million base salary he was originally slated to make this season, and it pretty much screams that he’s their Week 1 starter.
Brissett’s Massive Payday and the Offseason Drama
So, yeah, Brissett’s bank account is looking way better. But here’s the kicker: this re-worked deal doesn’t add any years to his contract. The 33-year-old signal-caller is still set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2026 season. Think about that: big money for one year, no long-term commitment. This entire situation comes after Brissett, who joined the Cardinals in 2025, sat out most of the team’s offseason program, clearly pushing for a better deal. He’s been back in practices this week, which is good, but he wasn’t even doing 11-on-11 drills. Still, Cardinals coach Mike LeFleur is playing it cool, saying he’s confident Brissett gets the offense. “He’s a smart dude, he’s played a lot of football,” LaFleur said. “It’s learning a whole different language. I’m not going to put any kind of (timeline) on that. … I like where he’s at from a learning standpoint.”
From QB2 to Undisputed Starter: A Wild Ride for Brissett
Last season was rough for the Cardinals, finishing with a brutal 3-14 record. Brissett started 12 of the 14 games he played, logging a 1-11 record in those starts. That was his most starts since way back in 2019, as he stepped in after Kyler Murray went down with an injury. Murray, the 2019 No. 1 overall pick, is now completely off their depth chart, having been released and heading to the Minnesota Vikings this offseason. Brissett finished 2025 with 3,366 passing yards, a career-high 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. With Murray gone, Brissett is officially the guy for Week 1, a big step up after starting last season as QB2. The Cardinals do have Gardner Minshew and Carson Beck in the QB room, but it’s Brissett’s show now. This marks Brissett’s sixth team and seventh move in his career, including two stints with the New England Patriots who drafted him in 2016. Oh, and get this: he actually holds the NFL record for most completions in a regular-season game with 47, which he did with the Cardinals in 2025.
The Cardinals are kicking off their regular season on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers on September 13th. All eyes will be on Brissett to see if this big money, short-term gamble pays off for a team looking to shake off a miserable 3-14 season. Can he lead them to something better?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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