The Arizona Cardinals finally reached a reworked deal with Jacoby Brissett worth $15.5 million, including incentives that could increase that amount to $21 million. It's a wise decision for the Cardinals to increase his salary solely for this upcoming season rather than a multi-year extension.
To a certain extent, their quarterback battle is the illusion of choice. Deciding between paying a higher amount for Brissett or rolling with Gardner Minshew II to start the season is pretty marginal in the scheme of things and would likely be only a difference of a few wins, if any.
Regardless of how the situation with Brissett unfolded, it was always clear Arizona needed to find its long-term answer at quarterback, ideally through the 2027 NFL Draft. Had Brissett been a more drastic difference compared to Minsshew, we'd even say it would be in Arizona's best interest to let their former continue his holdout as they look to land the top pick in 2027.
Cardinals were smart not to commit long-term to Jacoby Brissett
A reworked one-year deal for Brissett may be a slight overpay in the short term, but it doesn't take the Cardinals out of the running for the top pick and a potential franchise-altering prospect like Texas' Arch Manning or Oregon's Dante Moore. Not when they are stuck in the NFC West and have one of the most demanding schedules in the league, having to play the Seahawks, 49ers, and Rams all twice a year.
Hopefully, Brissett proves to be the ideal stopgap for Arizona in 2026, similarly to how he was last season filling in for Kyler Murray. The Cardinals finished with just three wins, resulting in the No. 3 overall pick that turned into Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. It was a delicate balance as their young offense continued to build winning habits under Brissett, even if the wins were rarely attached to that progress.
Considering how much they paid him, one would assume Brissett is the projected starter Week 1 against the Los Angeles Chargers. Hopefully they'll be an even better offense with a full year of Brissett, internal improvements, and the additions of Love and Tyler Allgeier in the backfield.
But for Brissett to pick up where he left off this offense last season, he'll have to learn a new system under head coach Mike LaFleur and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. LaFleur's offensive scheme, coming from the Sean McVay coaching tree, is something that could take this Cardinals offense to yet another level in 2026. That is, if Brissett can get caught up.
LaFleur previously stated he wasn't concerned with Brissett picking up the system during his ongoing contract holdout, citing his veteran experience as a journeyman who has familiarized himself with different schemes everywhere he's gone.
Jacoby Brissett is already behind on the Cardinals' new offense
That said, Brissett's hilarious admission has to be concerning for a Cardinals team that needs to hit the ground running to overcome their brutal schedule to start the season.
When recently asked if he's learned the system yet, the projected QB1 responded: "Oh, hell no."
“Oh hell no.”
— Bo Brack (@BoBrack) July 26, 2026
Arizona Cardinals QB Jacoby Brissett on if knows the new offense yet, but says he “going to put the work in” to get up to speed @PHNX_Cardinals pic.twitter.com/DquTWUQTTu
That may seem like a funny answer in July, but this is also the same guy the Cardinals just paid $15.5 million -- the amount of money suggesting he's the starter heading into the season. At least it's not a long-term commitment to a replacement-level starter, but if Brissett can't pick things up as quickly or as well as expected, even that decision to pay him more in the short term could quickly become a waste.
With the Cardinals seemingly out of the playoff picture in the NFC West, their best bet is to hope Brissett can aid the development of their true offensive building blocks going forward. That starts with learning a new system that, by his own admission, he's already behind on.
Add us as a preferred source on Google