Jacoby Brissett’s holdout is a strongly miscalculated risk

The NFL offseason has entered the OTA phase, and teams like the Arizona Cardinals will soon transition into minicamps before they know it. In just a few months, the preseason will usher in the return of professional football.

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The Cardinals, however, opened OTAs without a key player present. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett reportedly elected to hold out while pursuing a new contract with the organization. While contract holdouts are common across the league and understandable from a player’s perspective, this one feels badly timed.

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In fact, it may be the worst move Brissett could make right now. The Cardinals may have viewed him as the starter entering the offseason, but his absence creates an opportunity for both Gardner Minshew and Carson Beck to gain ground. The opportunity is there for someone else to seize, which makes Brissett’s decision difficult to justify.

Nov 3, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) warms up before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

There is nothing wrong with Brissett trying to maximize his career earnings. He remains a solid bridge quarterback option. The issue lies in his current approach, because the risks appear to outweigh even the best-case outcome.

Here are the facts: Brissett is a journeyman quarterback with a 20-45 career record after finishing 1-11 last season. The Cardinals also enter 2025 with a brand-new coaching staff that has no meaningful ties or long-term commitment to him. While Brissett posted respectable statistics, he did not establish himself as a true difference-maker.

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Arizona’s decision to turn to Brissett in 2025 stemmed more from necessity than long-term belief. The coaching staff had clearly moved on from Kyler Murray and needed someone to take over under center. By default, Brissett became that option for the remainder of the season.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) passes the ball during the second half against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

None of this is meant as an indictment of Brissett. It is simply the reality of the Cardinals’ current situation. He is not the face of the franchise, nor is he guaranteed the starting job. Negotiating a new contract makes sense, but skipping a critical team-building period does little to strengthen his case.

Even in the best-case scenario, Brissett likely secures only a modest raise. He is not in position to command a massive deal. If anything, he should focus on solidifying his place on the roster. Head coach Matt LaFleur is under no obligation to keep him in the starting lineup — or on the roster at all.

It remains unclear what Brissett’s demands are, what the Cardinals’ plan may be, or whether the two sides will eventually reach a resolution. One thing is certain: this is a calculated risk. The question is whether it proves to be a costly miscalculation.

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