Jacoby Brissett finally knew his worth and the Arizona Cardinals just made it official: he’s their starter for 2026. After holding himself out of drills at Arizona training camp, Brissett secured a new deal that will pay him at least $15.5 million in 2026, with the potential to hit $21 million. This isn’t just a pay bump, it cements Brissett as QB1, a position he’d been fighting for.
The Business of the Game
You gotta respect a player who bets on himself, right? Brissett had skipped some portions of the offseason program, but it wasn’t a full holdout. Still, keeping himself out of training camp drills? That’s a strong play, a clear signal he wanted his value recognized. And it worked. The Cardinals obviously felt the pressure to get their starting quarterback fully on board, because it can be tough to install everything otherwise. Brissett himself put it perfectly, telling the Cardinals’ official team website, “It’s your livelihood; it’s business; and it’s part of this game. You want to be out there with the guys and that causes another stressor. I’m glad it’s over with.” Yeah, no kidding, that stress is real, but so is that new contract!
Brissett’s Journey to QB1
This new deal isn’t just about the money, it secures Brissett’s spot as the undisputed starting quarterback for 2026. Remember, he closed out last season as the starter, and the Cards moved on from Kyler Murray in the offseason. Now, with veteran Gardner Minshew and rookie Carson Beck also in the QB room, there’s no question who’s running the show. Brissett’s had quite the journey since the Patriots picked him in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. He’s started 65 games in the NFL for New England, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Miami, and Arizona. He’s been around the block, and he’s seen it all. Now, he’s got the keys to the car in Arizona.
So, what’s next for Brissett and the Cardinals? Well, the team isn’t expected to be “very good at all this year,” according to the scuttlebutt. That’s a tough spot, but it also means Brissett gets a real chance to prove all the doubters wrong. He’s got the contract, he’s got the starter status. Now, it’s time to see what he can do on the field with Arizona hoping their newly locked-in QB can make some noise.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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