The Arizona Cardinals and quarterback Jacoby Brissett have resolved their contract stalemate, agreeing to a restructured deal that could pay Brissett up to $21 million for the 2026 season, according to multiple reports. The agreement ends a weeks-long dispute that saw Brissett hold out from spring workouts while seeking a raise commensurate with his expected role as the team’s starting quarterback.
Under the new terms, Brissett’s base salary for 2026 jumps from $4.88 million to $15.5 million, with incentives that could push the total value to $21 million. The deal does not extend beyond the 2026 season, leaving Brissett eligible for free agency next offseason. The pay raise reflects his status atop the depth chart following the release of former starter Kyler Murray, who later signed with the Minnesota Vikings.
Brissett had reported to training camp on time but declined to participate in 11-on-11 drills, a move widely interpreted as a hold-in. The Cardinals’ decision to adjust his contract came after weeks of public debate over whether a journeyman quarterback with limited starting experience deserved a significant pay increase. Brissett’s camp argued that his performance after taking over for an injured Murray in 2025 justified the raise, as the offense showed improved efficiency under his leadership.
The contract resolution removes a distraction as the Cardinals prepare for their first season under new head coach Mike LaFleur, who replaced Jonathan Gannon. LaFleur inherits a roster in transition, with Brissett expected to compete for the starting job against free-agent addition Gardner Minshew II and rookie Carson Beck, whom Arizona selected from the University of Miami in the NFL draft.
Brissett’s familiarity with key pass catchers — including tight end Trey McBride and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. — gives him an edge in the competition. Both players saw statistical upticks during Brissett’s stint as starter in 2025. The Cardinals also bolstered their backfield by drafting Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick in April, adding another weapon to the offense.
While the new contract signals the organization’s confidence in Brissett, the starting job is not guaranteed. LaFleur has indicated that the position will be decided on merit during training camp and preseason. Brissett resumed full participation in practice after the deal was finalized, though he had been working out with teammates during the hold-in period.
The Cardinals and Carolina Panthers were the first NFL teams to report to training camp, with the rest of the league’s veterans arriving later this month. Brissett’s contract dispute was one of the most closely watched storylines of the early preseason, highlighting the growing trend of players leveraging hold-ins to secure pay adjustments without missing game checks.
Brissett, who turns 33 in December, has started for four different franchises since entering the league in 2016. If he holds onto the starting role, his performance in 2026 could determine whether he remains with the Cardinals long term or tests free agency again next spring. For now, both sides appear satisfied with a compromise that rewards Brissett’s leverage without committing the organization to a long-term extension.