Arizona Cardinals have made a decision on QB Jacoby Brissett

The Arizona Cardinals have apparently made a decision about the quarterback depth chart early on, despite general manager Monti Ossenfort saying that wouldn't happen for some time. As expected, incumbent starter Jacoby Brissett is the No. 1 quarterback, even though he isn't currently in the building.

This information comes from ESPN's Josh Weinfuss.

"I've been told that, as of now, Jacoby Brissett is QB1, despite his holding out for a new contract," he said on ESPN. "A source told me that he has been made aware of that, and that discussions between the team and Brissett are ongoing, just like Brissett's holdout."

Brissett has not been participating in the Cardinals' voluntary offseason program thus far. He wants a new, multi-year contract paying him more like a starter. His 2026 salary of nearly $4.9 million is good backup money, but it doesn't come close to even a low-end veteran starter.

While the Cardinals appear willing to adjust his deal, we will see if they give him more than one season.

But this report does make it clear that the Cardinals' plan is to make Brissett the starter, although his absence might open the door for Minshew or Beck.

Brissett will not have to be in the building until mandatory minicamp, which is scheduled for June 8-10, although he does have a $50,000 workout bonus he is apparently willing to miss out on in seeking a new contract.

Brissett started the final 12 games of 2025, going 1-11 and 0-9 in the final nine games. He did set career-highs with 3,366 passing yards and 23 touchdown passes, and both tight end Trey McBride and receiver Michael Wilson had career seasons.

However, he is 2-15 as a starter over the last two seasons and is 20-45 in his career as a starter. While last season was the best Brissett has played in his career, now 33 years old, can he be expected to keep up that level of play?