Jacoby Brissett contract talks continue as Cardinals QB practices
Jacoby Brissett joined Cardinals training camp practice while Arizona and his camp keep discussing a reworked deal, coach Mike LaFleur said.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
2 min read
Jacoby Brissett contract talks have not kept him off the field at Arizona Cardinals training camp, according to ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss, with the quarterback taking part in the team’s first practice Thursday in Glendale, Arizona.
Brissett is waiting on a possible reworked deal for this season, ESPN reported. His return to practice came after he skipped the voluntary portion of Arizona’s offseason program and staged a hold-in during mandatory minicamp in June.
The veteran quarterback worked in drills with Gardner Minshew, Carson Beck and Kedon Slovis. ESPN reported that when the quarterbacks rotated through drills, Brissett went last as he eased back into the flow of on-field work.
Cardinals first-year coach Mike LaFleur said before practice that Brissett would participate. Asked why Brissett was on the field Thursday after missing the rest of the offseason practices, LaFleur pointed to the basics: Brissett is present, under contract and camp has begun.
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LaFleur said discussions between the Cardinals and Brissett’s side are continuing and described them as productive. ESPN reported Brissett is due a $4.88 million base salary this season, with $1.5 million guaranteed, and can reach as much as $5.39 million through incentives.
A hold-in means a player reports to the team but does not take part fully in practice or team work, often while contract matters are being addressed. In Brissett’s case, ESPN reported he was with the team during mandatory minicamp but did not practice then.
LaFleur did not frame Thursday’s work as a dramatic reset. Asked whether Brissett’s participation meant Arizona now had a quarterback competition, he answered that he would call it the first practice on July 23.
That leaves the depth chart talk parked, at least publicly. LaFleur said the immediate job is getting Brissett caught up on how the Cardinals want to operate this season, including cadence, formations, the no-huddle package, the passing game and the running game.
The coach also said he is not focused on what any quarterback has done before. His message, according to ESPN, was that the Cardinals do not need to be at their best on the first day of camp, only to improve and compete each day.
LaFleur pointed further down the calendar, saying the real checkpoint arrives Sept. 13, when the Cardinals will need to know whether they have done enough to become the best version of their team.
For now, Brissett is practicing, the contract conversation remains open, and Arizona’s quarterback room is back to work with all four passers on the field.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.