The Jacoby Brissett contract dispute is over. Adam Schefter reports that Brissett and the Arizona Cardinals agreed on a reworked deal worth $15.5 million fully guaranteed, with incentives that could push the total to $21 million. He was previously set to earn a $4.88 million base salary with just $1.5 million guaranteed in 2026, well below market rate for a starting quarterback.
No new years were added. Brissett, QB, Arizona Cardinals, remains on track to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2026 season.
How the standoff played out
Brissett, 33, negotiates his own contracts. After Arizona told him he was the QB1 entering 2026, he pushed back on a paycheck that ranked him behind several veteran backups in guaranteed money. Gardner Minshew, signed as a backup, had $5.14 million guaranteed on his own contract. Brissett skipped all voluntary OTAs and was only a limited participant at mandatory minicamp in June.
As recently as July 22, the day before training camp opened, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the two sides were still apart on a number, though both agreed Brissett deserved a raise. He showed up and practiced on Day 1 of camp. The contract got done shortly after.
How he became the starter
Brissett was originally signed in March 2025 as Kyler Murray's backup on a two-year, $12.5 million contract. He took over for an injured Murray in Week 6 of the 2025 season and never gave the job back. Over 12 starts he completed 64.9% of his passes for 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions, the best statistical season of his career. Arizona went 1-11 in those games, but the offense averaged 284.1 passing yards per game, nearly 100 more than it did with Murray.
This offseason, Arizona released Murray (who later joined the Vikings), drafted Carson Beck in the third round, and brought in Minshew as a veteran backup.
What this means for your roster
The clarity is real. The uncertainty that gave Minshew first-team reps during the offseason is gone, and Brissett is the uncontested starter heading into 2026.
Arizona is still a rebuilding team projected near the bottom of most power rankings. Brissett is a streaming option in deeper leagues, particularly against weak pass defenses, but not a reliable weekly starter. The 23-touchdown, 8-interception line from 2025 is a reasonable baseline for what to expect.
For dynasty managers, the structure of this Jacoby Brissett contract is what matters. No new years added means his long-term hold value in Arizona is essentially zero. Carson Beck is the presumptive franchise quarterback. Treat Brissett as a one-year bridge and roster him accordingly.
