Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett skipped Phase one of the team’s voluntary offseason program to push for a starter‑level contract extension. The decision was confirmed by multiple league sources who said Brissett was not present at the training facility when the program began on April 7, 2024[1].
The holdout matters because it puts the Cardinals’ offseason planning in flux and signals a broader negotiation battle over quarterback compensation. Brissett’s current deal guarantees $1.5 million, a figure the player’s representatives argue does not reflect his role as the presumed starter. Securing a larger, guaranteed salary would give the team financial certainty and allow Brissett to focus on leading the offense.
According to reports, the projected salary for Brissett in the 2026 season is $9.06 million[2]. That number aligns with starter contracts awarded to quarterbacks in comparable market sizes. The Cardinals, meanwhile, must balance the request against salary‑cap constraints and the need to retain depth at other positions.
Team officials declined to comment on the specifics of the contract discussion, but sources close to the front office said the negotiation is ongoing and that Brissett’s absence does not affect the scheduled drills for other players. "Brissett is not attending Phase one of the Cards' offseason program (which began April 7) while seeing an extension that pays him as the starter," NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport said[1].
Brissett’s agent reportedly emphasized that the quarterback is willing to return once a mutually agreeable extension is reached. The move mirrors other recent NFL holdouts where players leverage offseason programs to secure favorable terms. The Cardinals will need to decide whether to meet the demand, risk a prolonged absence, or explore alternative options at the position.
The situation also highlights the growing trend of players using voluntary programs as bargaining chips. As contracts become increasingly front‑loaded with guaranteed money, teams and players are testing the limits of offseason participation to shape future earnings.
**What this means**
Brissett’s decision underscores the financial stakes tied to quarterback contracts in the NFL. By skipping Phase one, he signals that guaranteed money and starter-level pay are non‑negotiable for him, forcing the Cardinals to weigh the cost of a higher salary against the potential disruption to team cohesion. The outcome could set a precedent for how other teams handle similar negotiations, especially as the league’s salary cap continues to tighten.
“"Brissett is not attending Phase one of the Cards' offseason program (which began April 7) while seeing an extension that pays him as the starter,"”
Brissett’s holdout illustrates how quarterback contracts are becoming central to roster strategy, with guaranteed money and starter status driving negotiations. The Cardinals must decide whether to meet his financial demands or risk a prolonged quarterback gap, a choice that could influence future offseason holdouts across the league.
