Arizona Cardinals QB Jacoby Brissett holding out for contract extension

It's just what the Arizona Cardinals need days before the 2026 NFL draft. They have a quarterback holding out for a new contract.

NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reported Friday that quarterback Jacoby Brissett is not in attendance for the Cardinals' offseason program, which began April 1. He wants a contract extension that pays him like a starter. He wants a multi-year deal.

Kyler Murray was released in March after Brissett started the final 12 games of 2025, going 1-11 but setting career highs with 3,366 passing yards and 23 touchdown passes.

He entered the offseason as the presumed starter, but the Cardinals added Gardner Minshew as a free agent last month. Both are only signed through 2026.

The timing is odd, as there has been increased talk about the Cardinals drafting Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson either in the first or second rounds. In that case, Brissett might start the season as the starter, but as it happened with the New England Patriots in 2024 and they drafted Drake Maye, he would be eventually replaced.

Brisset is due $4.88 million in salary in 2026 and can make up to $510,000 in per-game roster bonuses. He can also make $50,000 in workout bonuses, but only if he participates in the voluntary part of the offseason. He only has $1.5 million in guaranteed salary for 2026.

The Cardinals will hold a voluntary veteran minicamp next week. He isn't likely to participate unless something in changed, but why would the Cardinals extend Brissett or pay him more if they are going to draft his replacement?