In an unusual turn of events, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett is holding out, hoping to secure a pay raise for 2026. The Cardinals might very well have the worst quarterback room in the NFL, and Brissett’s holdout adds a lot of humor to what’s going on in the desert. Analysts, on the other hand, were quick to chime in on the latest news.
NFL World Amused by Jacoby Brissett’s ‘Hilarious’ Holdout
Kyler Murray is gone, leaving the Cardinals with no true starter under center. Brissett, therefore, seems primed to take up the role for another year. However, the veteran signal-caller is unhappy with his contract and has taken drastic steps this offseason.
While headlines about Dallas Cowboys star George Pickens and San Francisco 49ers wideout Brandon Aiyuk have been stirring, Brissett’s holdout comes as a humorously small anecdote this offseason. The NFL world’s reaction embodied the general sentiment fans have toward Arizona.
“Jacoby Brissett is not present as his team begins its first practice of voluntary OTAs,” NFL insider Ian Rapoport wrote on X. “The starting QB has been staying away as he seeks a raise for 2026.”
The football community piled in with laughs and reactions.
“You’re in rough shape when your starting QB is Jacoby Brissett,” Tony Farmer posted. “You’re in really rough shape when Jacoby Brissett is your starter and he’s holding out.”
“Hilarious,” analyst Tucker D. Franklin wrote.
“What motivation do the Cardinals have to give Jacoby Brissett a raise?” sports show host Harrison Graham posted. “I could maybe understand him wanting more of his 2026 salary guaranteed (only $1.5 million right now), but he’s not in their long-term plans and went 1-11 as their starter last year. There’s also no other team he’d start for right now in 2026. He has no leverage.”
Brissett logged a 73.3 PFSN QB Impact score last season, ranking 25th among quarterbacks. He managed one win against the Dallas Cowboys, who arguably had their worst defensive year in franchise history.
“Most hilarious holdout in NFL history,” Benjamin Garcia posted. “Just start Carson Beck, and if he stinks, just play Gardner Minshew and then go get a pick for Jacoby Brissett… His talent doesn’t warrant this kind of distraction to an already dysfunctional franchise… Truly not even worth it.”
“I get it and respect that you want to be paid as a starter if you’re the starter, but you also went 1-11 last season…” NFL analyst Lindsey wrote.
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“Being away from the team while the new coach is installing a new scheme. Not great, Bob!” wrote journalist Frank Ammirante.
Brissett is in the second year of his two-year, $12.5 million deal, and it remains to be seen whether Arizona budges on his small contract and offers him an extension.
