Jacoby Brissett ‘couldn’t care less’ as Cardinals make $15m QB decision after holdout

After a long, drawn-out saga, Jacoby Brissett has finally agreed to a re-worked contract with the Arizona Cardinals.

On Sunday, it was announced that the veteran quarterback’s reworked deal will pay him $15.5 million guaranteed this season, and can make up to $21 million with incentives.

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The one caveat is that he has not received any more years on his deal, meaning that he will still become an unrestricted free agent after the 2026 NFL season.

Having earned the Cardinals’ starting job midway during the 2025 campaign after Kyler Murray was benched due to a foot injury – and later cut by the team – 33-year-old Brissett was seeking a better financial package than the $1.9 million in guarantees he was set to earn in 2026.

Appearing in 14 games (12 starts), he completed 64.9 percent of his passes for 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions, though the team would win just one game in that span.

In order to get the deal over the line, he was willing to hold out of mandatory minicamp earlier this offseason, facing criticism for doing so, but will now report to training camp.

After practice on Sunday, he revealed that he was relieved that agreement could be reached.

“It’s your livelihood; it’s business; and it’s part of this game,” Brissett said Sunday. “You want to be out there with the guys and that causes another stressor. I’m glad it’s over with.”

Brissett further acknowledged that “it definitely got dark a couple of times” during negotiations.

But with him serving as his own agent, he advocated for a pay rise citing that it was about “having respect for yourself.”

After he got paid, Brissett wasn’t shy when asked about those who criticized him over the holdout.

“I couldn’t care less. Deal got done.”

Brissett’s negotiations ‘never a distraction’ for team – LaFleur

Cardinals training camp officially gets underway on Tuesday, when the pads go on for the first time.

“I’m happy for him, I’m happy for our team,” Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur said.

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“It hasn’t been a distraction by any means, 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.”

Upon learning of the news of Brissett’s new deal, Cardinals tight end Trey McBride took to X, where he said, “LFG ,” with tackle Paris Johnson Jr. also weighing in, posting, “Let’s goooooo .”

Having the support of his teammates means a lot to Brissett.

“That’s the ultimate reward in this game, the respect of your teammates,” Brissett said. “Maybe not the reward, but the currency. That’s what I really value.

“Contracts come and go, but the teammates that want to go to bat for you, that’s what matter most. … I think I’ve got to go out there and prove it. I don’t think it’s a given just because a deal gets done.”

Brissett will now compete with both veteran Gardner Minshew II and rookie Carson Beck – who has been hard at work – for the starting job, though it is expected that he is LaFleur’s first choice going into the season.