Brissett Leads Cardinals
Jacoby Brissett Finalizes Cardinals Deal, Set as Starting Quarterback for 2026 After Murray Trade
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Key Points
1
Brissett posted a career year in 2025, completing 64.9% of passes for 3,366 yards, with 23 touchdowns and 8 interceptions across 14 games (12 starts).
2
The 2026 contract guarantees $15.5 million for Brissett with a potential to reach $21 million through incentives, representing a sizable bump from his prior deal and signaling the Cardinals’ commitment to him as the starter for 2026.
3
Beck is a rookie third-round draft pick serving as Brissett’s backup, with Gardner Minshew also in the quarterback room as a veteran fallback.
4
Kyler Murray was traded to the Minnesota Vikings, clearing the way for Brissett to lead Arizona’s QB room; the Vikings have Murray in a competition for the starting job with JJ McCarthy.
The Arizona Cardinals ended a months-long contract standoff with quarterback Jacoby Brissett, agreeing to a reworked deal worth $15.5 million guaranteed with incentives that could push total pay to $21 million, according to CBS Sports. The agreement ends a stalemate that began in mid-April, when Brissett skipped offseason workouts to push for higher pay.
Brissett is now practicing with the team ahead of the 2026 season, which kicks off September 13. He enters camp as the clear starting quarterback after Arizona traded Kyler Murray to the Minnesota Vikings, per Larry Brown Sports.
Brissett's Career Year Drove the New Deal
Brissett earned his raise the hard way. In 2025, he completed 64.9% of his passes for 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns, and just 8 interceptions across 14 games, including 12 starts. That run was a career best and gave Brissett real leverage heading into talks, according to Rolling Out.
His 2025 output made the Cardinals' case for him simple. Arizona rewarded him with $15.5 million guaranteed and tied up to $5.5 million more in performance incentives. Rolling Out noted the deal signals the team's full commitment to Brissett as their starter for 2026.
A Contract Stalemate That Began in April
Brissett skipped most of Arizona's offseason work to force a better deal. He felt his original contract did not reflect what other starting quarterbacks were earning around the league. The holdout lasted weeks before both sides found common ground, per CBS Sports.
He did show up for mandatory minicamp, which kept him in good standing with the team. Once the new deal was signed, Brissett returned to full practice. Larry Brown Sports reported the reworked contract raises his 2026 base pay to $15.5 million, up sharply from his prior arrangement.
Murray Gone, Brissett Now Leads Arizona's QB Room
The Cardinals traded Kyler Murray to the Minnesota Vikings, removing any quarterback competition at the top of the depth chart. Murray now enters a battle for the starting job in Minnesota against JJ McCarthy. Arizona's QB room now belongs to Brissett, according to Larry Brown Sports.
Veteran Gardner Minshew is in the room as a fallback option. Rookie Carson Beck, a third-round draft pick, slots in as the third quarterback. Beck gives Arizona a developmental option, but Brissett is the unquestioned starter heading into September, per CBS Sports.
Backfield Shifts Could Shape Arizona's Passing Game
Arizona's backfield also looks different in 2026. David Montgomery is expected to lead the team in rushing touches early in the season. Rookie back Marks is also in the mix. If Brissett's passing volume stays high, Marks could emerge as a target out of the backfield.
Brissett averaged over 240 passing yards per game in his 12 starts last season. A full season as the confirmed starter, with a settled contract and a clear depth chart, puts him in position to build on that output when the Cardinals open play on September 13, per AZ Cardinals.
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