Jacoby Brissett remains the primary starting quarterback option in Arizona despite executing a contract hold-in that has kept him out of individual and team drills. While team victories may be sparse, he proved capable of fueling multiple fantasy pass-catchers last season by leading the NFL with 41.6 Team Pass Plays Per Game.
Team reporter Darren Urban notes that despite the ongoing financial stalemate, the organization still views Brissett as the definitive leader under center for 2026. He is “the guy” in Arizona. Brissett is currently an attractive buy-low option in fantasy football superflex formats.
Former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Gardner Minshew ...
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Gardner Minshew (knee) ...
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew completed 20...
Jacoby Brissett officially reported to Arizona minicamp, ending a brief contract stalemate after leading the NFL with 41.6 Team Pass Plays Per Game last season. The veteran quarterback is attempting to leverage a new deal, but ownership remains silent despite Brissett delivering 16.8 Fantasy Points Per Game to finish as the overall QB16 in 2025.
Brissett will inevitably end the tepid hold-in and continue to operate as a high-volume bridge option while third-round rookie Carson Beck learns from the sidelines. Continue to draft Michael Wilson and Trey McBride with confidence.
Jacoby Brissett is executing a tepid offseason holdout from voluntary OTAs in pursuit of financial security, but the 33-year-old bridge quarterback holds zero leverage after averaging 16.8 Fantasy Points Per Game (QB16) last season despite a massive, league-leading 41.6 Team Pass Plays Per Game. Arizona’s QB room also features Gardner Minshew, who signed for $5 million in guaranteed, and prototypical pocket passer Carson Beck, who the Cardinals selected in the third round of the NFL Draft.
LaFleur brushed off his absence, saying, “The hardest thing to teach a player is the speed of the game, an NFL game, in general. He’s played a lot of ball, so he’ll be just fine.” Brissett is only guaranteed $1.5 million in 2026, plus a few million in incentives. While Brissett does not profile as a long-term starter, he is comically underpaid for a high-end bridge QB. The rubber will hit the road if he lets this dispute drag past the June 8-10 mandatory minicamp. For now, continue to draft Brissett as a QB3 in best ball and on win-now superflex dynasty rosters.
The ultimate bridge-quarterback holding pattern is playing out in the desert, as Jacoby Brissett is initiating a tepid offseason holdout away from voluntary OTAs in search of a pay raise. Regardless, the terms of the NFL’s draconian collective bargaining agreement with the players’ union ensures that Brissett will be under center in Week 1.
Despite the front office declaring him the starter on a meager $4.88 million base salary, Brissett’s fantasy ceiling remains thoroughly capped after averaging 16.8 Fantasy Points Per Game (QB16) last season in spite of a massive 41.6 Team Pass Plays Per Game (No. 1). While his career-high 23 passing touchdowns and a +10.8 Production Premium (No. 3) provide a stable short-term floor for his pass catchers, this rebuilding offense will inevitably hand the keys to Carson Beck before 2026 comes to a close.
Brissett is a viable QB3 in superflex and his stabilizing presence allows fantasy gamers to draft Trey McBride, Michael Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr. with confidence in best ball and dynasty leagues.
Great to hear that Carson Beck will be afforded the opportunity to learn from superstar Jacoby Brissett as well as the best mustache in the game. “It benefits anyone in any position to be able to sit back,” LaFleur said to ESPN. “Sometimes, guys don’t have the choice because you have to put your best 22 out on the field there.”
Coach LaFleur values the opportunity for young players to learn from the sidelines, though team necessity often forces them onto the field prematurely. With Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew ahead of him, third-round pick Beck is currently being afforded this crucial developmental time. While the Cardinals’ decision to avoid rushing him into the lineup represents the ideal patient approach for Beck to develop, it was ultimately a QB purgatory decision to draft him in the first place.
Despite coming off a productive 23-touchdown season, the veteran Jacoby Brissett is playing hardball for a new contract just as GM Monti Ossenfort refuses to officially crown him the starter. This holdout, coupled with the presence of Gardner Minshew and a looming NFL draft, suggests Brissett’s tenure as the “bridge” to a rookie successor could be brief.
His value is currently capped in dynasty leagues by this lack of job security, making him streamable QB3 option in superflex and 2 QB leagues. Brissett did deliver six games with 300+ air yards last season and is very much worth a dice roll in best ball and dynasty start-up drafts.
