Jacoby Brissett wants a raise. The Cardinals want a starting quarterback. Both sides finally sound like they are close to a deal.
Arizona confirmed this week that contract talks with Brissett have become “productive.” Brissett practiced with the team on Thursday, ending a hold-in that stretched through voluntary workouts and mandatory minicamp. The season opener is eight weeks away and both sides needed to get on the same page.
The gap has always been the money. Brissett is set to earn a $4.88 million salary this season, with only $1.5 million of that guaranteed. For a 32-year-old veteran being asked to start after Arizona parted with Kyler Murray and whiffed on Malik Willis, that number is way too low.
What Brissett Is Asking For
Reports have suggested Brissett is looking for a raise into the eight- to nine-figure range with real guaranteed money. Given that starting quarterback salaries begin at around $15 million per year even for placeholder-caliber players, Brissett has leverage.
The Cardinals have acknowledged internally that a raise is warranted. The dispute is about how much. Arizona is likely offering something in the $8 million to $10 million range with a chunk of that guaranteed. Brissett’s camp, which is technically just Brissett himself since he is his own agent, wants more.
Both sides negotiating in good faith is usually the sign a deal is coming. Brissett showing up for practice while talks continue is another good sign. This does not feel like Le’Veon Bell or Melvin Gordon holding out for a year and getting nothing. This feels like a resolution is a phone call away.
Why the Cardinals Need Him
Arizona is in year one of a post-Kyler Murray rebuild. Ownership decided to move on from the former No. 1 overall pick after five seasons that never produced a playoff win. Malik Willis was signed as a stopgap option but flamed out in offseason work. Gardner Minshew, Carson Beck, and Kedon Slovis were competing for backup jobs behind Brissett.
The plan was always to let Brissett hold the fort while a rookie develops. That is why the Cardinals used a Day 2 pick on Carson Beck out of Miami this year. But Beck is not ready to start. Nobody thinks he is.
That leaves Brissett as the guy. And he knows it. Which is why his leverage is real.
Where This Ends
Expect a resolution before Week 1. Both sides have said the right things. The Cardinals want to avoid a distraction. Brissett wants to be on the field earning game checks. A deal in the $12 million range with $8 million guaranteed feels right.
What Arizona gets in return is a competent professional quarterback who can manage games while the offense builds around Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride. Brissett is not going to lead the Cardinals to the Super Bowl, but he can win six or seven games and keep the rebuild moving on schedule.
Head coach Jonathan Gannon has already said Brissett is the guy. Now the front office just has to pay him like it.
Expect a signed extension in the next two weeks. The parties are too close to walk away.
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
