Cardinals end Jacoby Brissett contract dispute with deal worth up to $21M for 2026 season: reports

The pay raise quarterback Jacoby Brissett was looking for was finally given to him by the Arizona Cardinals.

Unlike most hold-ins/hold-outs, Brissett wasn’t looking for a new extension from his club, but rather a raise heading into the 2026 NFL season where he figures to be the starting quarterback. He was set to make $4.88 million as his base salary.

Now, Brissett is set to make $15.5 million in base pay for 2026, according to multiple reports. The new 2026 contract could also get up to $21 million with incentives.

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This stalemate between the journeyman quarterback and the Cardinals sparked some debate over whether it was even right that Brissett was asking for a raise.

But following the release of Kyler Murray , who eventually signed with the Minnesota Vikings, Brissett was in line to be a starter, and he wished to be paid accordingly. His new deal isn’t remotely close to top starter money, however, Brissett appears happy to finally get to common ground.

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Brissett chose not to participate in the Cardinals’ spring workouts, though he did report to training camp on time. Because of the latter decision, it was expected he and the Cardinals would reach a deal soon.

It’s yet another regime change for the Cardinals, with Mike LaFleur assuming the head coach role left vacant after the firing of Jonathan Gannon. Brissett sits atop the depth chart after the Murray cut, while Arizona drafted Miami quarterback Carson Beck and signed Gardner Minshew II for competition at training camp.

Brissett took over starting duties during the 2025 season after Murray suffered a foot injury. It wasn’t soon before Brissett was operating the Cardinals’ offense more efficiently than his injured teammate, with players like tight end Trey McBride and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. seeing an uptick in their own stat lines.

Brissett is scheduled for free agency after this season, but perhaps he can remain in good favor with the Cardinals with another good year. The offense around him was also bolstered, especially with Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love being drafted third overall back in April.

Brissett has been working out with his teammates to begin training camp, including newcomers like Love, but he hasn’t been participating in 11-on-11 sessions of practice. That should change now after the raise agreement.

But the pay raise doesn’t necessarily mean Brissett is guaranteed the starting role come Week 1 against the Los Angeles Chargers. He will have to earn that spot over Minshew and Beck, though he has the rapport necessary with the team’s top pass game options to think he will do just that.

The Cardinals and Carolina Panthers were the first full teams to report to training camp, as the new season truly gets underway. The rest of the league will have their veterans arriving on July 28, making this the week where position battles take flight across the NFL.

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