​There has finally been a morsel of news on the Jacoby Brissett situation with the Arizona Cardinals and the ongoing contract dispute that has lingered through the offseason. While nothing substantial seems resolved on the financial front, Brissett’s latest activity suggests movement and perhaps a glimmer of engagement on both sides. According to Brissett’s Instagram story, he invited a group of Cardinals teammates to South Florida this week to participate in private workouts in preparation for training camp. The team is slated to report to State Farm Stadium on Wednesday, July 22, and Brissett shared a photo on social media that included himself alongside wide receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Semi Fehoko, tight ends Trey McBride and Elijah Higgins, and quarterback Kedon Slovis, captured after one of those private sessions.
This development is notable given that Brissett did not participate in the Cardinals’ entire voluntary offseason program and had reported to mandatory minicamp without taking part in drills. If anything, the Florida workouts appear to mark the first time Brissett has engaged in football activity with any of his teammates since Arizona’s disappointing 3-14 finish last season. Could these public workouts herald the start of renewed negotiations with the Cardinals? It remains uncertain, primarily because Brissett has not offered any public commentary on the situation. Yet the visible display of good faith—training with teammates and making himself available for preparation—could influence decision-makers within the organization. General manager Monti Ossenfort and owner Michael Bidwill, or perhaps both, might view this as a gesture worth factoring into their discussions as they consider resuming talks about a contract and a potential resolution.
The image from Florida features several Cardinals players in attendance after one of the private workouts: Harrison Jr., McBride, Brissett, Higgins, Kedonis Slovis, and Semi Fehoko. It underscores the reality that Brissett is at least taking steps to stay connected with the team and remain in football shape, even as the broader contract saga remains unresolved. However, the truth remains that this is a significant “if.” It’s unlikely Brissett will capitulate to his contract demands after adopting more of a “hold-in” stance for an extended period. He is projected to earn $4.88 million in 2026, with a maximum value of $5.39 million, but only about $1.5 million of that is guaranteed. That level of guaranteed money does not align with the expectations typically associated with a presumed starting quarterback, a role Brissett held last season after stepping in for the injured Kyler Murray. Murray was later released and eventually signed by the Minnesota Vikings. By contrast, Gardner Minshew II, the Cardinals’ other veteran quarterback, is set to receive more guaranteed money than Brissett this coming season.
The exact amount Brissett seeks in terms of salary or guarantees remains unclear, and the clock is ticking for both sides to reach a workable agreement. If no deal is reached by training camp, it’s unlikely that negotiations will suddenly accelerate, particularly if Brissett chooses not to report or participate fully. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the contract, the concrete takeaway is that Brissett is actively training and doing so in the company of some of his teammates, which at least suggests a willingness to maintain a connection with the club and stay ready for the upcoming season.
In short, Brissett’s private workouts in Florida constitute a tangible, if modest, step in the ongoing storyline. They reflect a willingness to stay engaged with the team and prepare for the season, even as the financial stalemate endures. Whether this development will translate into renewed talks and a finalized agreement remains to be seen, and the ultimate decision will hinge on how the sides weigh the business realities against Brissett’s performance history and the Cardinals’ quarterback plans. Reach McManaman at bob.mcmanaman@arizonarepublic.com, and follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @azbobbymac. You can also listen to him live every Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. on Roc for updates and analysis.