New NFL Rumors on Jacoby Brissett, Potential Cardinals Contract Extension Ahead of QB Battle

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett isn't attending the first phase of the team's offseason program and is asking for a contract extension that "pays him as the starter," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Per Rapoport, Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort didn't commit to Brissett as Arizona's starter on Thursday and said the Cardinals are "not really naming anybody and we'll see how that room works by the time we get to August."

Brissett has $1.5 million in guaranteed money on his contract for the 2026 season despite having a $9.19 million salary cap charge, via Over the Cap.

He ranks No. 29 among all quarterbacks in average contract value in 2026 (via Spotrac).

The Cardinals initially brought in Brissett on a two-year, $12.5 million deal to serve as Kyler Murray's backup during the 2025 offseason.

He ended up starting 12 games for Arizona in 2025, completing 64.9 percent of his throws for 3,366 yards and 23 touchdowns to go along with eight interceptions. The Cardinals went 1-11 during Brissett's starts, through.

Arizona eventually released Murray at the end of the 2025 season before signing Gardner Minshew to a one-year contract. Minshew operated as a backup on the Kansas City Chiefs last year.

Similar to Ossenfort, new Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur didn't name Brissett or Minshew as the team's starter heading into 2026.

"Both those guys have played a lot of football," LaFleur said, per Zach Gershman of the team's official website. "Right now, none of that is even being discussed because all we're trying to do is get a foundational aspect of what this system looks like."

The Cardinals could also address the quarterback position in the 2026 NFL draft, as they own the No. 3 overall pick.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Thursday that there's a "feeling around the league" that Arizona has "some level of interest" in Alabama signal-caller Ty Simpson.

While the Cardinals might not select Simpson as high as No. 3, trading back to pick him is also an option.

As for Brissett, he's searching for an extension despite his status as Arizona's starter still up in the air.