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. 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. MORE: Steelers QB development could lead to trade with Broncos, Rams or Jets 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.