GLENDALE –With the QB situation being the most unknown part of the Cardinals’ future, Arizona’s new HC Mike LaFleur has a lot of questions to answer about what that might eventually look like. When asked about Jacoby Brissett, LaFluer said, It’s the same as where we were a few weeks ago. We’ve had contact, I’ll leave it at that,” per Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk.
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Arizona new head coach LaFleur at a news conference on Feb. 3, 2026, at Arizona training center in Tempe. © Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Cardinals continue insisting everything is status quo with Jacoby Brissett. But in the NFL, quarterback absences are never neutral. As Arizona opened organized team activities this week, Brissett remained away from the team while seeking adjustments to his contract. Head coach Mike LaFleur attempted to minimize the situation, pointing out that Brissett’s years of experience and familiarity with NFL offensive systems will allow him to come in late and still flourish. From a schematic standpoint, that may be true. Veterans can survive missing spring practices.
Arizona quarterback Brissett (7) throws the ball against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Nov. 16, 2025. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
That is why Brissett’s absence carries larger implications than attendance sheets. Arizona already entered the offseason searching for direction after parting ways with Kyler Murray and resetting the roster around a transitional quarterback room. Brissett was supposed to provide temporary stability, an experienced bridge capable of managing games while the franchise evaluated its future. Instead, his absence is accelerating that evaluation process. Every OTA rep now becomes more valuable for third-round draft pick Carson Beck, the rookie quarterback Arizona selected in the third round. Young quarterbacks often struggle to earn meaningful offseason repetitions behind established veterans. Brissett’s holdout changes that equation entirely.
May 8, 2026; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona quarterback Beck (19) during rookie minicamp at Dignity Health Arizona Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Strategically, the Cardinals have little reason to panic. At 31, Brissett is respected across the league, but Arizona knows his ceiling. He is unlikely to become the long-term answer capable of carrying the franchise back into championship relevance. Paying premium money during a rebuild simply does not align with the organization’s timeline. That leaves the Cardinals balancing patience against progress. If Brissett extends this standoff into mandatory minicamp, Arizona’s quarterback competition may stop being temporary insurance and start becoming the foundation of the franchise’s future.
Jacoby Brissett skips Arizona Cardinals OTAs seeking extension – Burn City Sports Phoenix Sports
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
