The Arizona Cardinals don’t have a quarterback competition, at least not in theory, but the situation with starter Jacoby Brissett means one could absolutely emerge. Brissett is the team’s designated QB1, but he is clearly not happy with a contract that compensated him like a backup, not the main guy. This isn’t just some minor quibble; the Cardinals haven’t even adjusted his deal to pay him fairly for being the starter. That’s a huge red flag heading into the season.
Brissett’s Contract Stand-Off Is a Problem
This isn’t just speculation; Brissett has already shown his displeasure. He straight up stayed away from the voluntary portions of the offseason program. He reported for the mandatory minicamp, as required, and we can presumably expect him to show up for training camp too. But the big question hangs heavy in the desert air: what’s he actually going to *do* when he gets there? Starting quarterbacks usually go way above and beyond the minimum. They put in extra work, they do all the “other things” that make a true leader. For many teams, the starting QB is practically a member of management, acting as a de facto player-coach among his teammates.
The Awkward Training Camp Ahead
Will Brissett embrace all that extra stuff if he’s not getting paid fairly? Why would he go above and beyond the basic job requirements if his contract doesn’t reflect his role? There’s also the very real chance he could “hold in,” meaning he’d report but not practice at all until he gets that revised contract. To make this whole mess even more delicate and potentially awkward, Brissett represents himself. This isn’t some agent doing the dirty work; it’s Brissett himself negotiating directly with the team. It means every conversation, every interaction, holds a much higher personal stake. The Cardinals need to figure this out, and fast, before training camp turns into a full-blown QB crisis.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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