Beat expects Jacoby Brissett to start in Week 1

In other words: Brissett isn’t necessarily gunning for an extension, but he definitely wants to be paid like a starting quarterback if he’s going to start. Brissett’s contract calls for just $1.5 million in guarantees in 2026. It feels like the Cardinals could make this headache go away pretty easily if they wanted to based on this report — it’s not like Brissett is asking for future money, and the Cardinals have $35 million in cap space. But if they did that, they wouldn’t be the Arizona Cardinals.

Solak is among the NFL analysts identifying the Cardinals as a prime landing spot for Sorsby, who will enter the league’s supplemental draft after forgoing his final collegiate season following a sports betting scandal. The weak-armed Beck, selected by Arizona with the 65th pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, would have little chance of holding off Sorsby this season if the Cards bring in Sorsby, who was graded by Pro Football Focus as the eighth best passer in the nation last year. In Arizona, the dual-threat Sorsby — he had 18 rushing touchdowns over his final two collegiate seasons — would have a real chance at fantasy relevance unless the Cardinals are intent on wasting an entire season with Jacoby Brissett under center.

Only the Cardinals could find a way to turn offseason team activities in a year in which they are projected to be one of the worst teams in the NFL into a dramatic exercise. Brissett looks to be pushing all his available leverage on a potential contract extension, though the fact that there’s really been no report that the Cardinals are looking to do something with him seems to be very telling. As for Sweat, his name has been bandied about in trade rumors but, again, the Cardinals don’t appear to have much interest in dealing him at this time.

Josh Sweat is also present and accounted for after the pass rusher, like Brissett, opted out of voluntary OTAs. Brissett was rumored to be planning to attend camp, in part to avoid any fines that would come with staying away, but how much he participates in drills will be worth keeping an eye on. Brissett continues to hold out hope for a pay bump after earning the QB1 job with his 2025 performance. His 2026 base salary of $4.88 million puts him in range with most backups across the league.

Brissett has been away from the team while hoping for a new contract ahead of this season. Despite his decision to stay away from voluntary activities, Brissett is expected to attend this week’s mandatory minicamp to avoid any fines the team may levy against him should he not report. Brissett is due $4.88 million base salary this season and is in the final year of the two-year deal he signed last offseason. The 33-year-old vet is hoping for an increase in pay after playing his way into a starting role last season, and has already been named the starting QB for this season. It’s possible that when Brissett reports to minicamp, he keeps his activity to a minimum, but we’ll see whether his decision to report helps his negotiations before training camp begins. Brissett profiles as a mid to low-end QB2 in fantasy next season, but could provide plenty of spike weeks to elevate rosters in 2QB/Superflex leagues.

Brissett is absent from the voluntary offseason program in search of a revised contract. He is only guaranteed $1.5 milion this year and can make at most $5.4 million. While Brissett isn’t anyone’s idea of a long-term starter, he is criminally underpaid even as a bridge option. LaFleur wasn’t worried about his absence, saying, “The hardest thing to teach a player is the speed of the game, an NFL game, in general. He’s played a lot of ball, so he’ll be just fine.” If this holdout turns into a hold-in during training camp, it could become a bigger issue. We don’t expect things to get that far. In the meantime, Gardner Minshew and Carson Beck will get some extra reps at OTAs.

Brissett has one year left on his deal, which includes $1.5 million in guarantees. He can make up to $5.39 million. Fellow Cardinals QB Gardner Minshew signed a one-year deal with the team this offseason that netted him $5.14 million in guarantees. The front office also invested a third-round pick in rookie QB Carson Beck. It’s easy to see why Brissett is seeking increased financial security, but he may not have the leverage required to attain it. It is unknown whether Brissett will attend next week’s voluntary organized team activities. A mandatory minicamp for veterans and rookies is scheduled to take place June 8-10. Things could become even more contentious if he refuses to attend the mandatory events. Hopefully, the dispute will be resolved soon. Brissett, 33, showed last year that he has the ability to distribute the ball in a fantasy-friendly manner for Cardinals pass catchers.

It’s worth reminding folks that these are voluntary activities, meaning Brissett can avoid them without any repercussions. That said, it was reported last week that the team informed Brissett that he would be the starting quarterback this season, so his presence is somewhat vital. Brissett staying away from the team’s facilities is nothing new. The 33-year-old signal-caller is reportedly seeking a pay raise for this upcoming season, as he’s due to make $4.88 million in base salary in 2026, which puts him near the bottom of the league among current starters. Brissett threw for 3,366-23-8 in 14 games for the Cardinals last season while completing 64.9 percent of his passes. Playing on a team that’s in the middle of a rebuild, it seems unlikely that Brissett will remain the starter through the duration of the season, but it’s clear the career backup is hoping to make the most of his situation. Assuming he doesn’t report to OTAs, the next date to watch will be June 8th, when the Cardinals are scheduled to hold their first day of mandatory minicamp.

He was told in the same tone that the children in The Simpsons episode “Team Homer” played tag whilst wearing the grey uniforms. Brissett remains absent from early offseason work while he seeks a new contract, but this at least should shift the comfort level on drafting Cardinals wideouts a bit in early best ball leagues. Brissett is set to earn $4.88 million in the final year of his contract, well below what a starting quarterback makes, so it’s not a surprise that he’s holding out for the time being.

Brissett has chosen not to attend the Cardinals’ current voluntary workouts, wielding the leverage he has to campaign for an “extension that pays him as the starter.” Frankly, we can’t blame him. Brissett made the Cardinals fun to watch last season, although his 12 starts resulted in just a 1-11 record. Brissett, 33, has just $1.5 million in guaranteed money this season and will be a free agent at the end of the year. Hopefully, the two sides can turn the ongoing dialogue into a resolution that works for both sides. The Cardinals’ pass-catching corps delivered fantasy-friendly results with Brissett at the helm last year.