Prior to the 2026 season, the Arizona Cardinals reworked Jacoby Brissett's deal, now guaranteeing him $15.5 million. They paid him more reflective of the starting-level quarterback he was projected to be.
That decision looks worse as the Cardinals have now lost three straight games, this time falling 36-24 to the New York Giants.
Jacoby Brissett, Cardinals came up short against the Giants
This was an extremely winnable game against a young Giants team playing without Jaxson Dart. That would've been the case if Arizona actually had a starting-caliber quarterback. Brissett completed 21-of-35 passes for 166 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions.
The struggles were unfortunately magnified in crunch time, when the Cardinals squandered an opportunity to win the game with four consecutive failed pass attempts. With just 22 seconds remaining, Arizona couldn't score from New York's four-yard line. The last failed opportunity even resulted in a 98-yard pick-six the other way at the hands of Giants cornerback Deonte Banks, putting the final score further out of reach than the actual game itself was.
Despite the Cardinals' decision to pay Brissett roughly $10 million more this summer, this matchup essentially turned out to be a battle of backup quarterbacks anyway, raising the question of why they ultimately gave in to his demands this offseason.
Jacoby Brissett isn't justifying his reworked deal
The Cardinals already have a veteran stopgap at the position in Gardner Minshew II. Not only is he significantly cheaper at $2.9 million, but he also likely would've done a better job than Brissett in this contest.
The silver lining is the Cardinals didn't add any additional years to Brissett's reworked deal. Because four weeks into the season, Arizona is predictably already falling behind in the NFC West standings.
There are other roster concerns that need to be addressed going forward, especially on defense, as the Cardinals have now surrendered 30-plus points for three straight games. However, the strengths of this Cardinals roster lie in its explosive offense. With all their playmaking weapons between Trey McBride, Jeremiyah Love, and an underrated group of receivers, these are the types of high-scoring games that should be playing to Arizona's favor.
A replacement-level quarterback in Brissett largely defeats the purpose of that identity, which came back to haunt the Cardinals at the most inopportune time.
We're only four weeks into the season, and it's already apparent the Cardinals didn't need Jacoby Brissett this season. His next opportunity to right the ship comes Sunday, Oct. 11 against a Detroit Lions defense that has arguably even more flaws than the Cardinals.
Still, considering he's the veteran stopgap in this scenario, you'd like to see Brissett be much more consistent. If he can't effectively finish these games against a depleted Giants team, then why'd Arizona even agree to give him more money in the first place?
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