The Arizona Cardinals have finalized a contract restructuring with starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett, significantly increasing his compensation for the 2026 season. The agreement guarantees him $15.5 million and can reach $21 million with incentives, a substantial increase from his original $4.88 million base salary scheduled for the year. The deal maintains the same contract length without extending beyond the 2026 season, making Brissett eligible to become an unrestricted free agent afterward.
Brissett, who joined the Cardinals in 2025, held out from most of the team’s offseason activities while negotiating the restructured deal. When the team’s practices commenced this week, he participated but was held out of 11-on-11 drills. Cardinals head coach Mike LeFleur expressed confidence in Brissett’s grasp of the offensive system despite his absence from some team activities, stating the quarterback demonstrates strong comprehension despite the complexity of the playbook.
The 33-year-old veteran emerged as the starter following Kyler Murray’s release and subsequent trade to the Minnesota Vikings. Last season, Brissett appeared in 14 games, starting 12 of them with a record of 1-11. He accumulated 3,366 passing yards, 23 touchdowns—a career high—and eight interceptions. Brissett holds the NFL record for most completions in a regular-season game with 47, set in 2025 with Arizona. The team’s quarterback depth chart now includes Gardner Minshew and Carson Beck alongside Brissett.
Brissett will lead the Cardinals into their regular season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 13. This represents his sixth team overall and seventh roster move throughout his career. He previously played for the New England Patriots in two separate stints, the Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, and Washington Commanders. The Cardinals finished with a 3-14 record last season.
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