The Arizona Cardinals opened 2026 training camp with a lot on their minds. Like, installing a new offense. A new coach, OC, and special teams coordinator.
Guys who are now healthy for the defensive backfield, and maybe nobody injured right away. There were a few players who have already been added to the PUP list. This link describes all those types of issues:
RELATED: NEWS FROM CARDINALS TRAINING CAMP
While the defense had its issues last year, the offense has been on everyone’s mind going into camp
this year. Playing in the NFC West Division, the Cardinals have front-row seats to both the Los Angeles Rams’ and San Francisco 49ers’ offensive outputs. Arizona’s new head coach, Mike LaFleur, was employed by both clubs and is part of their extensive coaching trees.
The Cardinals offense will look like both of these clubs’ offenses. Eventually. Maybe. Hopefully. What was the question?
Having said this, it isn’t as simple as substituting Splenda for sugar while making Kool-Aid. This new offense is complicated. It is new, and so is the terminology and scheme. These players have better been studying during the 40-days away from the training facility.
Three quarterbacks, journeyman Gardner Minshew, veteran Kedon Slovis, and rookie Carson Beck, have arrived early during OTAs and spent every moment on the field. They have attended each minicamp and class meetings. Do these three have this offense down pat? Of course not, but they have been working that clutch in grandad’s old truck instead of crying that it isn’t an automatic transmission.
New stuff takes time to adjust – and learn.
Jacoby Brissett has missed all of this. The only appearance he has made up until the beginning of camp was as a ball boy during the mandatory minicamp. “I’m just here so I won’t get fined.” Yeah, something like that.
But lo and behold, Brissett has shown up for the Cardinals’ training camp. Or should we say, “Well, he’s here.”
On Thursday, Brissett worked out in his first practice session of 2026.
Word is, his desire to have his contract reworked with added years and/or an additional bump in salary remains in the same spot it has always been. In limbo. He is appearing at practice despite not signing a restructured deal. Hmmm…..
According to team sources, the contract negotiations are ongoing.
Now, Brissett is his own agent, right? If he knows his number and the number of years he wants attached, why is this still ongoing? Exactly what is the roadblock? Because all of us regular folk understand the process between agents – who are attorneys – and a team’s GM. It’s friggin’ back and forth with wants, desires, and demands until one side or the other (usually both) caves in and gets less than they wanted.
However, in the duel between Brissett and Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort, there aren’t any lawyers involved. Brissett is a communications major out of NC State. Ossenfort earned two master’s degrees in business administration and sports management while at Ohio University.
God made the Earth, but attorneys run it. So, what’s the issue?
On July 9, Arizona safety Budda Baker tweeted out:
“Just want bro to get his (expletive) done… he is not asking for what you think. Bro is asking for below the bare minimum. Let’s just get it done!!! At the end of the day, I want all of our players to get theirs and ultimately all of our players to be in the building, being able to practice (and) being able to get better because you only get better by practicing.”
Both sides seem to be in agreement that Brissett deserves more money than the backup position deal he signed last year. LaFleur was asked about the contract status. He told ESPN Arizona:
“It’s been productive between us and his team, so still ongoing, but I’d say we’re productive.”
Meanwhile, back on the practice field. When the four quarterbacks were getting reps, no matter what the drill was, Brissett was last.
Remember when the Cardinals ditched Kyler Murray after LaFleur was hired? Recall that LaFleur came right out and announced that Brissett was his starting quarterback for the season? Which raises the question: Is the starting job now up for competition among all four QBs?
Well, of course, LaFleur was asked about this. His response?
“I’d describe it as practice one on July 23.”
Another moment to go hmmm…..
LaFleur did state that he is doing everything he can to help Brissett as these sessions roll along. And he should. It is not his fault that his presumed starting quarterback hasn’t been around. And it’s not like LaFleur doesn’t see Brissett as the probable starter for the Week 1 contest against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Maybe he still does. Maybe LaFleur is frustrated with the whole ordeal and was hoping that being an NFL head coach was going to come with a lot less drama. After all, didn’t they cut the drama, who then signed with the Minnesota Vikings? Another hmmm…..?
LaFleur’s job at this juncture with 90 players in camp is to do everything himself and his coaching staff can to field the best Arizona team they can place on the pitch (yes, still have some World Cup feelings lingering).
If that is Brissett under center, or someone else, now that Brissett has bit the bullet and showed up regardless of if he gets what he wants or not, the coaches can’t really harp on what his quarterback has or has not done in these past few months. Can he catch up? Can he excel beyond the other three guys?
LaFleur added:
“Not really worried about that stuff right now. It’s just about building that one day at a time and seeing how good we can be every single day. We need to have the best first block we can without pads. And then we put the pads on; now we get to play a little bit more real football, and we don’t have to peak on July 30 or whenever.”
Right now, Brissett isn’t competing against Minshew, Slovis, or Beck. He is competing against himself and the Week 1 timeline.
