Jacoby Brissett’s contract saga officially ended Sunday, and the man is set to pull down a hefty $15.5 million base salary. That kind of money, $15.5 million in base salary, immediately tells you everything about what the Cardinals truly think of his standing as their likely No. 1 quarterback for the 2026 season. Even with all that, Head Coach Mike LaFleur is still playing it cool, not officially handing him the keys to the offense just yet. This is big news, right before training camp truly gets rolling!
Big Money, Big Role? Maybe.
Brissett’s bid for a new contract finally wrapping up is huge, no doubt about it. It locks him in at that impressive $15.5 million base, a figure that absolutely reflects his importance as the team’s probable top signal-caller heading into the season. But here’s the part that’s got everyone talking: LaFleur, while acknowledging the new deal, didn’t straight up commit to Brissett being *the* guy under center. Sure, the coach confirmed Brissett will be working with the starters when the team holds its first padded practice this Tuesday. That’s a strong sign, for sure! But the official ‘QB1’ tag isn’t exactly inked yet. What’s the hesitation here, Coach LaFleur? Fans are hungry for clarity, especially after dropping that kind of cash.
“Not a Distraction,” Says Coach, We’re Still Watching
LaFleur was quick to downplay any drama around the contract talks, trying to make it seem like no biggie. He insisted the situation “hasn’t been a distraction by any means,” giving props to the team’s “mature and professional players” and a “mature roster.” But then, just a breath later, he followed that up by saying it is “one less thing we have to talk about, or that they have to read about. We can move on with the football aspect of it.” Hold up, Coach, which is it? If it truly wasn’t a distraction, why is everyone so relieved it’s “one less thing”? Let’s be real: Brissett’s contract stance kept him away from the team during the voluntary offseason program. That definitely created *some* chatter. Now that it’s settled, hopefully, that lingering question mark over the QB room is finally gone for good and we can all focus on the field.
This week is absolutely massive for Brissett and the Cardinals. They are clearly banking heavily on his veteran experience to get him fully acclimated to the offense before Week 1 kicks off. The first padded practice on Tuesday is going to be a crucial step for him to gel with the first team. Can Brissett prove that $15.5 million was a steal and truly take the reins of this squad, or will LaFleur’s early season caution prove warranted? We will all find out soon enough when the real games begin!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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