Jacoby Brissett: Everything you need to know

Brissett isn't attending Phase 1 of Arizona's offseason program and is seeking an extension that will pay him commensurate with being a starting quarterback, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Brissett is scheduled to make $9.06 million in 2026 but has only $1.5 million in guaranteed money. The Cardinals appear willing to address Brissett's request, per Rapoport. Until a new deal is agreed upon, the 33-year-old quarterback will likely remain away from team activities. Brissett started the final 12 games of the 2025 season for the Cardinals and is expected to serve as the team's starting quarterback in 2026, though he posted an uninspiring 1-11 record as a starter last season.

Brissett is on track to keep his starting job after the Cardinals settled for Gardner Minshew as their QB addition at the start of free agency, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports. The catch is that Arizona still has time this offseason to add a third quarterback to the mix. Multiple reports suggest Minshew will come in behind Brissett on the depth chart, though Brissett hasn't been informed of any specific plans for the QB roles, according to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com. Brissett, 33, is entering the second season of a two-year contract, after providing competent QB play during a 2025 campaign where not much went right for the Cardinals. They ended up leading the league in pass attempts, but a new coaching staff may not be as quick to abandon the run, even in trailing game scripts. To that end, the Cardinals are signing power runner Tyler Allgeier to challenge James Conner (ankle) and Trey Benson (knee) in the backfield.

Brissett completed 22 of 31 pass attempts for 243 yards, two touchdowns and an interception while gaining 19 yards and losing a fumble on three carries in Sunday's 37-20 loss to the Rams. Brissett rallied Arizona in the second half with touchdown passes to WR Michael Wilson and TE Josiah Deguara to give his club a 20-16 lead. That woke up Matthew Stafford and the Rams' offense, who then responded with three touchdowns to hand the Cardinals their ninth straight loss to end the year. Brissett was one of the few bright spots for Arizona in a forgettable 2025 campaign. The journeyman backup took over for an injured and struggling Kyler Murray back in Week 6 and played so well that head coach Jonathan Gannon named Brissett the starter for the rest of the year. The 32-year-old Brissett became a hot fantasy add while posting career highs in passing yards (3,367) and touchdown passes (23) across 12 starts. Both Murray and Brissett are under contract with the Cardinals for the 2026 season, so it will be interesting to see how the franchise handles its QB situation this upcoming offseason.