Cardinals resolve Brissett contract standoff with $15.5 million guarantee

The Arizona Cardinals and quarterback Jacoby Brissett have finalised a reworked contract arrangement for the 2026 season, bringing an end to a protracted dispute that had sidelined the player from key team obligations. The agreement guarantees Brissett $15.5 million for the upcoming season, with the potential to earn up to $21 million through performance incentives, according to reports from ESPN.

The restructuring marks a substantial shift from the terms of the two-year deal Brissett signed in 2025. Under the previous agreement, he was scheduled to earn a base salary of $4.88 million in 2026, with only $1.5 million guaranteed. The new terms reflect his transition from a designated backup to the team’s entrenched starting quarterback, a role he assumed following a foot injury to Kyler Murray late in the 2025 season.

Brissett’s performance during his 12 starts in 2025 established his value to the franchise, despite the team’s poor record of 1-11 during that stretch. He recorded career highs with 3,366 passing yards and 23 touchdown passes. The Cardinals’ decision to retain him as the starter for 2026 prompted his request for a new deal commensurate with other starting quarterbacks in the NFL.

The resolution concludes a standoff that saw Brissett absent from the voluntary offseason program and one mandatory minicamp practice. Negotiations had reportedly stalled earlier in the offseason, with estimates suggesting a figure around $15 million was necessary to bridge the gap between the parties. The finalised $15.5 million guarantee aligns with those earlier indicators.

The contract contains no additional years beyond the current season, meaning Brissett will become an unrestricted free agent in 2027. This structure allows the Cardinals to secure their starting quarterback for the immediate future without committing to long-term financial obligations. Brissett is expected to begin practicing with the team’s starters in the coming week.