Brissett Gets Contract Raise with the Cardinals
Jacoby Brissett has finally received the pay increase he was aiming for from the Arizona Cardinals.
Unlike many hold-outs or hold-ins in the past, Brissett’s situation was a bit different. He wasn’t looking for an entirely new contract, but rather a raise for the upcoming 2026 NFL season, where he’s set to take on the role of starting quarterback. Initially, his base salary was pegged at $4.88 million.
Now, he is expected to earn a base salary of $15.5 million for that season, with reports indicating that his contract could reach as high as $21 million through performance incentives.
This situation between Brissett and the Cardinals brought about discussions on whether he was justified in asking for this increase.
Following the departure of Kyler Murray, who has since signed with the Minnesota Vikings, Brissett emerged as a potential starter and felt he deserved to be compensated accordingly. While his new contract doesn’t place him among the very top quarterbacks, he appears content with the outcome.
Brissett opted out of spring training but made a timely return for training camp. This decision hinted at a possible impending agreement.
The Cardinals are undergoing management changes, now led by Mike LaFleur, who took over after Jonathan Gannon was let go. Brissett holds a prominent position in the depth chart, especially following Murray’s exit, while the team has also drafted quarterback Carson Beck from Miami and added Gardner Minshew II to enhance competition in camp.
During the 2025 season, Brissett stepped into the starting position after Murray’s foot injury. Key contributors like tight end Trey McBride and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. have shown improvements, with Brissett managing to operate the Cardinals’ offense more effectively than the injured players.
He will become a free agent after the current season, but there’s certainly hope that he could have a standout year, leaving the organization on good terms. The Cardinals also strengthened their roster by drafting running back Jeremiah Love in the third spot overall in April.
Brissett has been training with teammates, including rookies like Love, to gear up for camp, though he has not engaged in 11-on-11 drills just yet. That aspect might shift now that an agreement has been finalized.
Despite the raise, Brissett’s starting position in Week 1 against the Los Angeles Chargers isn’t guaranteed. He will need to outperform Minshew and Beck to secure that role, but he seems optimistic, thanks to his rapport with the team’s top receiving options.
As training camp kicks off, the Cardinals and Carolina Panthers are leading the way with their full rosters, while the rest of the league’s veterans are set to arrive on July 28th, ramping up competition across the NFL.
