Cardinals Double Down on Jacoby Brissett With Reworked $15.5 Million Deal

The Arizona Cardinals have been one of the more interesting teams in the NFL over the past couple of years, and largely not in the best of ways.

This is a franchise that has struggled to generate wins and has been searching for direction, especially at the quarterback position. After moving on from Kyler Murray earlier this offseason, the biggest question became who would lead the Cardinals under center moving forward.

While Jacoby Brissett always appeared to be the obvious choice, he was also looking for a contractual commitment of his own.

Now, the Cardinals have answered both questions.

As the weekend came to a close, Arizona and Brissett agreed to a reworked contract that fully guarantees his $15.5 million salary for the upcoming season, with incentives that could push the total value to $21 million. More importantly, it reinforces the organization’s commitment to Brissett as the team’s starting quarterback entering the 2026 campaign.

And that’s what makes this move so interesting.

On the surface, paying a 33-year-old veteran quarterback that kind of money for one season may seem like an odd decision for a team that isn’t widely viewed as a Super Bowl contender.

But when you look at where Arizona is as a franchise, it actually makes quite a bit of sense.

The Cardinals don’t necessarily need to win 12 or 13 games this season.

They’re still in the process of building a sustainable foundation under a new coaching staff, developing young talent across the roster and figuring out exactly what the long-term future looks like.

Brissett gives them stability.

He’s a veteran who has seen just about every situation imaginable in the NFL. He’s respected in locker rooms, takes care of the football and provides the type of leadership that’s valuable for a young roster trying to establish an identity.

That’s something that doesn’t always show up on a stat sheet.

It shows up in meeting rooms, during practice and in the way young players learn how to approach the professional game.

Arizona also drafted Carson Beck this offseason, giving the organization another young quarterback to develop over time.

That means Brissett doesn’t have to be viewed as the long-term answer.

Instead, he can serve as the bridge quarterback while the Cardinals continue evaluating the rest of the roster and determining whether Beck or another future draft pick eventually becomes the face of the franchise.

And speaking of the draft, that’s another reason this move makes sense.

If Arizona struggles again this season, the Cardinals could find themselves selecting near the top of what many evaluators believe will be a much stronger 2027 quarterback class.

Having a veteran like Brissett leading the team while maintaining long-term flexibility is far preferable to rushing a young quarterback into a difficult situation before the rest of the roster is ready.

That’s the balance Arizona appears to be trying to strike.

Brissett deserves the new contract after stepping into a difficult situation last season, and the Cardinals get a respected veteran who can stabilize the offense while helping develop the next generation of players.

This move may not generate the same attention as a blockbuster trade or a superstar free-agent signing.

But what’s happening in Arizona right now could dictate the future of the franchise for years to come.

And reworking Brissett’s contract is another important step in that process. It's not always about making the desperate move now. It's about making the right plays along the way.