Getty

Mike Lafleur talks about the contract issues with Jacoby Brissett.

The Arizona Cardinals have been going through voluntary workouts, but with one player notably absent. 

Quarterback Jacoby Brissett has still not reported, as the veteran continues his wait for a new contract that would pay him like a starting quarterback. And while Brissett continues to skip workouts, rookie Carson Beck got his first reps in as a Cardinals on Friday during the first day of rookie minicamp. 

Head coach Mike LaFleur downplayed Brissett’s absence while talking with reporters on Friday, saying that things are in good standing with the team and their potential week one starter.   

“He’s played a lot of football, and we’re in communication,” LaFleur said. “He knows what the expectation is.” 

“Everything’s good from a dialogue standpoint. But like we said, this is voluntary, and so that’s where we’ll leave it.” 

Jacoby Brissett and the Arizona Cardinals Still at Odds Over His Contract

Brissett played in 14 games for the Cardinals last year, racking up 3,366 yards and 23 touchdowns to just eight interceptions. But despite the impressive stats, Arizona finished just 3-14, earning them the No. 3 pick in the draft which was eventually used on running back Jeremiyah Love. With Kyler Murray now in Minnesota, Brissett looks to be the starter once again in 2026, but his $4.9 million salary has been a sticking point. 

While the Cardinals haven’t announced a starting quarterback, Brissett is the presumed starter and wants to be paid like one. Whether or not general manager Monti Ossenfort and Brissett can come to an agreement is another story. There hasn’t been much steam coming from the desert about an imminent deal, and this standoff may last well into the summer. With Beck waiting in the wings, could the Cardinals roll with the rookie if the Brissett contract can’t be worked out?

Could Carson Beck Start as a Rookie in Arizona?

Beck, fresh off an appearance in the National Championship, could be in line to get some snaps if Brissett and backup Garnder Minshew don’t pan out. Never lacking confidence, Beck would be ready for the opportunity and said his arm is best it’s ever been. 

“I would say toward the end of the season and the playoffs, my arm felt great,” Beck said, on the PHNX Cardinals Podcast. “But it only continues to get stronger. And now that I’m—what, a year and a half out of surgery—my arm is the strongest it’s ever been. I mean, I feel like I’ve been throwing the ball really well recently.” 

“There’s only one guy out there (at quarterback). … Obviously, I would love to play and perform, but again, we’ll see where it takes me.” 

Beck, now 24, threw for 3,813 yards and 30 touchdowns to 12 interceptions this past season with Miami. Once a projected first-round pick, Beck’s final season with Georgia left some doubts in the minds of NFL teams, and a rebound year with the Hurricanes led the Cardinals to take him in the third-round. Brissett is likely the guy assuming a deal gets hammered out, but Beck will be quick to take advantage if things go south. 

Trevor Ripley Trevor Ripley is a Heavy writer covering the Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals. More about Trevor Ripley