Jacoby Brissett Set to Attend Cardinals Mandatory Minicamp Amid Contract Standoff

Jacoby Brissett will report for the Arizona Cardinals’ mandatory minicamp this week. The veteran quarterback made the decision after skipping every voluntary offseason session while pushing for a new deal.

He avoids a $107,911 fine by showing up. The three-day camp runs through Wednesday in Tempe. What remains unclear is how much actual work Brissett will do on the field once he arrives.

He Held Out. Now He Shows Up.

Brissett missed the entire offseason program — Phase 1, Phase 2, and all three OTAs. That was his leverage play. The 33-year-old wants a restructured contract that reflects his role as the team’s presumed starter this season, the second year of the two-year, $12.5 million deal he signed last March.

His current numbers for 2026 sit at a $4.88 million base salary with potential to reach $5.39 million. Only $1.5 million is guaranteed. Most starting quarterbacks not on rookie deals clear well over $30 million annually. Brissett believes his production last year earned him a bump closer to that reality, or at least something that feels fair for the work ahead.

“A deal is unlikely to get done in the next day,” a source told ESPN, so Brissett will walk into camp without a new agreement in place.

Both sides were described as “significantly” far apart back in May. The gap has not closed publicly.

What Brissett Delivered in 2025

When Kyler Murray went down in Week 6, Brissett stepped in and stayed in. He started 12 games and finished with career highs across the board.

Advanced metrics told an even stronger story once he took over. From Week 6 onward, Brissett ranked at or near the top of the NFL in several efficiency categories on dropbacks and play-action. He was not merely surviving — he was efficient and productive in a tough situation.

That performance is why he feels justified asking for more. It is also why the Cardinals told him earlier this offseason he would enter the year as the starter.

The Cardinals’ Side of the Table

Arizona added Gardner Minshew in free agency with $5.14 million guaranteed for 2026. They spent a third-round pick on Carson Beck in the 2026 draft. First-year head coach Mike LaFleur is still installing his system and shaping the roster.

The franchise remains in rebuild mode. Paying a 33-year-old bridge quarterback starter money for one season does not align with long-term planning when a young quarterback sits behind him and a reliable veteran backup already costs the team significant guarantees.

Brissett is clearly the best quarterback on the current roster. He is not viewed as the long-term solution. That tension sits at the center of the impasse.

What Happens Next

By reporting, Brissett keeps money in his pocket and keeps dialogue possible. A full holdout through the summer would have cost him real cash and potentially damaged his standing. A partial hold-in — showing up but limiting reps — remains an option if talks stay cold.

Minicamp practices Tuesday and Wednesday will carry extra weight. Every rep, or every rep skipped, will be dissected. The quarterback room now includes Brissett, Minshew, Beck, and Kedon Slovis. Stability at the top matters.

Contract discussions will sharpen with Brissett in the building. Whether they produce a resolution before training camp opens is the next real question. For now, the veteran has chosen presence over protest.