Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur speaks to the media on the crew’s Tempe facility on June 2, 2026. © Megan Mendoza/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK through Imagn Photos.
Kyler Murray left the Arizona Cardinals in March — they kicked him out — and now that franchise is embroiled in a contractual standoff with Jacoby Brissett, a person seen by most as a good backup quarterback within the NFL.
The Cardinals are not any stranger to messy operations, however even this example feels weird by their requirements.
Cardinals QB Room Will get Stranger
Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing stands alongside quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) throughout a house matchup in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium. On Dec. 7, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona, Petzing and Brissett labored by way of recreation conditions because the Cardinals continued their NFC West schedule late within the common season. Obligatory Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Photos
Brissett Holds Out
ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss wrote late final month, “After months of negotiating, quarterback Jacoby Brissett and the Cardinals are still not close to reaching an agreement on a reworked deal for this season. A source told ESPN that the two sides are ‘significantly’ far apart. Brissett has not attended any of the Cardinals’ voluntary OTAs or the voluntary offseason program as he waits for a new contract for 2026, the second year of a two-year deal he signed in March 2025.”
“His deal currently pays him $4.88 million, with the potential to grow to $5.39 million, of which just $1.5 million is guaranteed. By comparison, Gardner Minshew II, whom Arizona signed as a free agent in March, had $5.14 million guaranteed by the team for 2026.”
Quick ahead to June, and Brissett wholly skipped the primary week of organized crew actions (OTAs), confirming the holdout. It’s ugly within the desert.
This Would Be Like Carson Wentz Enjoying Hardball
To offer you an instance of how embarrassing this example comes off for the Cardinals, take into account a Vikings instance. Fake Carson Wentz was below contract on a two-year settlement for $6 million. Impulsively, he tells the Vikings he needs $10 million. The Vikings’ entrance workplace and training employees would have a look at one another and say, “Who does this guy think he is? Do we even need him?”
That’s what’s taking place in Arizona — besides Brissett tasks to be the Cardinals’ QB1 in 2026. And it’s value noting that that is shaking out is as a result of basic supervisor Monti Ossenfort opted to conclude the Murray period.
Brissett shouldn’t be among the many league’s finest quarterbacks, and for a man who can be a backup quarterback on nearly each different squad, it’s weird to witness a hardball holdout.
SI.com‘s Donnie Druin famous on the holdout, “Brissett, 33, is likely staring down at his last opportunity to earn more than slightly above minimum money. The Cardinals reportedly have known about Brissett’s desire for a raise through the offseason and have been willing to work with Brissett — though ESPN reported last week the two are significantly far apart in their negotiations.”
“While Brissett’s contract doesn’t reflect that of a starting quarterback, it feels as if the veteran has little leverage with two other capable passers in the room with him.”
The World Nudging ARI towards Carson Beck
The Cardinals ought to tread fastidiously earlier than handing Brissett a fats contract. He’s 33 and hasn’t been a constant starter in his profession. The percentages of him forging a Wealthy Gannon-like profession arc are low. That hardly occurs to anyone.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) prepares for motion throughout a recreation in opposition to the Jacksonville Jaguars at State Farm Stadium. On Nov. 23, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona, Brissett led Arizona’s offense whereas making an attempt to information the Cardinals by way of an interconference matchup in the course of the closing stretch of the season. Obligatory Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Photos
Arizona did, nonetheless, draft Miami’s Carson Beck in Spherical 3 5 weeks in the past. He’s hungry and ready for his marching orders. If the Brissett standoff persists, the Cardinals ought to entertain telling Brissett “thanks but no thanks” whereas giving Beck a full audition for the QB1 job.
Most don’t count on Arizona to do a lot of something in 2026, particularly in a division with the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, and San Francisco 49ers. The Cardinals can study Beck’s talent set and know that if he doesn’t have “it,” effectively, they’d be in line for a excessive draft decide subsequent April, which might land Texas’s Arch Manning or Oregon’s Dante Moore.
The primary takeaway? Arizona ought to look at Beck’s readiness, the longer Brissett continues the unorthodox holdout.
Brissett’s Profession Resume
Brissett has basically authored the blueprint for a top-tier NFL bridge quarterback. Throughout a ten-season profession, he’s began 85 video games, accumulating 14,766 yards, 76 touchdowns, and 45 interceptions, with a 61.9% completion price. His profession passer ranking of 86.4 encapsulates his efficiency: stable, reliable, hardly ever erratic, and rarely spectacular.
His most statistically environment friendly 12 months got here with Washington in 2023, albeit in restricted motion, the place he achieved a powerful 146.8 passer ranking. His most intensive enjoying time was with Indianapolis and Cleveland, demonstrating his capability to maintain an offense over extended intervals.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) delivers a cross throughout first-half motion in opposition to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. On Nov. 30, 2025, in Tampa, Florida, Brissett directed Arizona’s offense on the highway whereas going through a Buccaneers crew competing for positioning within the NFC playoff race. Obligatory Credit score: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Photos
Past his passing, Brissett has added 1,224 speeding yards and 15 touchdowns, proving his skill to transform essential first downs. Whereas Brissett received’t rework a struggling crew right into a championship contender, he additionally received’t be the explanation for its downfall. His reliability and stability are useful, which is exactly why groups in the hunt for a reputable, affected person, and mature quarterback have saved him employed.
It’s simply that he’s not the kind of dude who ought to a crew hostage through holdout.
Perhaps the Cardinals ought to’ve saved Murray?
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
