Pro Football Rumors
Reminding somewhat of the Seinfeld-universe’s Yankees payroll setup that featured George Costanza’s newly hired secretary out-earning him, the Cardinals have created the interesting situation in which their backup quarterback is tied to a notably larger guarantee than their projected starter. Like Costanza circa December 1994, Brissett has attempted to force the issue with management.
Brissett, who has been “made aware” the Cardinals view him as their starting quarterback, skipped Arizona voluntary workouts before showing up to minicamp. He has been seeking an updated deal that reflects his starter status. Brissett’s two-year, $12.5MM contract calls for just $1.5MM guaranteed this year. Meanwhile, backup Gardner Minshew is tied to a $5.14MM guarantee on his free agency accord.
The Cardinals and Brissett have been negotiating a reworked contract for months, according to ESPN.com’s Josh Weinfuss, who adds a notable update to this situation. Brissett is not necessarily seeking an extension; rather, the journeyman QB is gunning for an adjusted deal that essentially provides a raise.
In April, Brissett was mentioned as seeking a starter-level extension; instead, it now appears he would be fine leaving Arizona after 2026. Brissett is under contract for one more season, and Weinfuss notes the above-referenced $1.5MM guarantee is the issue here.
As a vested veteran, the 11th-year passer would see his full base salary ($4.88MM) become guaranteed shortly before Week 1. This does not offer him protection against a late-summer release, and as the Cardinals do not look like a team with contender aspirations, it is not out of the question they cut ties with Brissett and go with Minshew and Carson Beck leading their QB room. With OverTheCap listing No. 66 overall pick Tyler Onyedim‘s guarantee at $1.83MM, Beck will soon be tied to — once the No. 65 pick signs his rookie deal — a guarantee higher than Brissett’s 2026 number.
That said, the Cardinals did guarantee Brissett $6.5MM when he signed with the team last year. Of course, Arizona signed Brissett to be a backup to Kyler Murray. The latter’s foot injury, along with apparent organizational plans to move on from the longtime starter’s onerous contract after 2025, led to Brissett making 12 starts. He now has 65 career starts. While the Cards went 1-11 with Brissett at the helm last season, he did finish with a 23:8 TD-INT ratio and completed a career-high 64.9% of his passes.
Brissett spent last season playing under former Browns QBs coach Drew Petzing, but he has missed most of LaFleur’s workouts this offseason. Although the assumed starter made a minicamp cameo, the extended absence may well have allowed Minshew to make an early case for the starting job. With Minshew signing to play for LaFleur and Brissett a holdover, the Cards have an interesting situation — as this looks to be a gap year of sorts while the team eyes the 2027 draft class for a long-term solution.
As of late May, Brissett and the Cards were far apart in contract talks. It can be argued the team...
