After a four-month contract standoff, the Arizona Cardinals and quarterback Jacoby Brissett have finally put the saga behind them and can now focus on preparing for the 2026 NFL season.
However, Arizona head coach Mike LaFleur doesn’t believe the lengthy contract negotiations between Brissett and the Cardinals had any negative effect on the team.
“It hasn’t been a distraction by any means,” LaFleur said, via Darren Urban of the Cardinals’ official website.
“We have very mature and professional players. We have a mature roster. Never thought it was ever a distraction but it’s one less thing we have to talk about, or that they have to read about.
“We can move on with the football aspect of it.”
The veteran quarterback and the Cardinals agreed on a reworked contract that gets him a $10 million raise. He will make $15.5 million this season with a potential to take home $21 million, including incentives and bonuses. Arizona originally signed him to a 2-year, $12.5 million deal as a free agent in 2025.
The Cardinals are running it back for at least one more year with the 33-year-old Brissett, who went just 1-11 as a starter in 2025, while passing for 3,366 yards and 23 touchdowns against eight interceptions, while completing 64.9% of his throws across 14 games.
