The Arizona Cardinals finally gave Jacoby Brissett a raise after he had been holding out in hopes of a new contract. Brissett took advantage of Kyler Murray’s injury last year and earned the right to be the starter heading into this upcoming season.
Murray has gone on to Minnesota, and Brissett has the keys in Arizona as of now with his new contract. The NFL world took to social media to share its reactions to Brissett’s payday.
NFL World Split on Jacoby Brissett’s New Deal
Brissett reached an agreement with the Cardinals on a reworked one-year deal worth $15.5 million guaranteed that could increase to $21 million with incentives. The Cardinals are putting their trust in Brissett to lead their team early in the season while they prepare for a potential future with third-round draft pick Carson Beck. Starting Beck immediately didn’t seem to be in the cards for the Cards, so they paid Brissett what he wanted.
However, the NFL world isn’t quite sure that’s the right move, given that Beck is waiting for a chance.
“15.5 million fully guaranteed for a career backup is sickening. Arizona is running a charity program at this point. Hardest robbery of the entire offseason,” said one user.
Ted Nguyen, a writer for The Athletic, couldn’t help but joke about how Brissett will fare against Arizona’s division rival, the Los Angeles Rams.
“The $5.5m in incentives is if he survives two games getting sandwiched by Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald,” said Nguyen.
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The Cardinals are going to have a rough season, no matter who is playing quarterback. This puzzled members of the NFL world because they are paying plenty of money to a quarterback who isn’t going to contribute to their long-term future.
“Just an objectively dumb thing to do,” said NFL content creator Chris Mack. “Play Carson Beck, see what you got before you lose 12 or 13 games and are inevitably in position to take a QB near the top of the Draft next year. If Beck sucks -as many people suspect he will- you throw Brissett in there, but why are you paying a career backup to be your starter?”
Just an objectively dumb thing to do.
Play Carson Beck, see what you got before you lose 12 or 13 games and are inevitably in position to take a QB near the top of the Draft next year.
If Beck sucks -as many people suspect he will- you throw Brissett in there, but why are you… https://t.co/udqX5Pb1AZ
— Chris Mack (@THEChrisMack) July 26, 2026
It’s not all bad reviews for the Arizona front office, though. Brissett made the Cardinals’ passing attack look much more dangerous in the second half of the season, despite the win total not reflecting their success. Head coach Mike LaFleur made it clear that Brissett is heading into training camp as the starter.
“He’ll be with our 1’s two days from now. How’s that,” said LaFleur.
Mike LaFleur says Brissett will now run with the first team once pads come on (Tuesday).
Asked if Brissett will start WK 1 for #AZCardinals?
“He’ll be with our 1’s two days from now. How’s that…” https://t.co/Ne3OA2TaXe
— Paul Calvisi (@PaulCalvisi) July 26, 2026
Brissett averaged the most pass yards per game in the 2025 season for all quarterbacks who started at least 10 games, as he averaged 280.5 passing yards per game, which came in just ahead of NFL MVP Matthew Stafford and Detroit Lions QB Jared Goff.
Most pass yards per game in 2025 (minimum 10 starts):
1. Jacoby Brissett – 280.5
2. Matthew Stafford – 276.9
3. Jared Goff – 268.5
4. Dak Prescott – 267.8@AZCardinals https://t.co/7PBZb0AWLc— NFL Researcher (@NFL_Researcher) July 26, 2026
The Cardinals had a weak rushing attack last season with a revolving door of halfbacks as James Conner’s season-ending injury derailed their backfield plans. But Brissett handled the extra passing load well and helped many of their targets see their production increase encouragingly.
“Jacoby Brissett rocks. Marv played his best with Jacoby. McBride broke records with Jacoby. Michael Wilson’s career was saved getting away from Kyler and having Jacoby. Loser Cardinal fans can hate him, but he wanted $15M all along (Was guaranteed just 4) happy it got done!” said one user.
Jacoby Brissett rocks. Marv played his best with Jacoby. McBride broke records with Jacoby. Michael Wilson’s career was saved getting away from Kyler and having Jacoby. Loser Cardinal fans can hate him, but he wanted $15M all along (Was guaranteed just 4) happy it got done! https://t.co/KbxIgtZ8JB
— Goldschmidt Happened (@GoldyHappens) July 26, 2026
Brissett threw for a career-high 3,366 yards with 23 touchdowns and 8 interceptions in 12 starts, ranking 25th among all quarterbacks in PFN’s QB Impact Score.
The Cardinals could very well be a dumpster fire in 2026 (and likely will be). Regardless, this season will reveal whether Brissett’s late-season production in 2025 was for real or just a flash-in-the-pan fluke from a career backup.
All eyes will be on Brissett and whether he can keep his job or if LaFleur will eventually turn the keys over to their hopeful franchise QB, Beck.
