Cardinals face early concerns after Jacoby Brissett skips OTAs

The Arizona Cardinals opened voluntary OTAs on Monday, and the biggest storyline wasn’t a spectacular one-on-one drill or a new wrinkle in the playbook — it was the absence of starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett. As the team prepares for Mike LaFleur’s first season as head coach, Brissett’s decision to skip the early offseason work has raised eyebrows and prompted questions about pay, preparation, and what the coming months might look like in Arizona.

Brissett’s absence is understandable on its face: these workouts are optional. Still, when a presumed starter stays away during a coaching transition, it creates ripples across the roster. The situation mixes normal contract bargaining with a timing issue that could cost the Cardinals valuable on-field cohesion during a period when new systems are being installed.

Why Jacoby Brissett sat out OTAs — and what he’s asking for

Brissett is in the second year of a two-year deal with Arizona and scheduled to make $9 million this season, but only $1.5 million of that is guaranteed. For a player stepping into what appears to be a Week 1 starting role, seeking additional financial security is a rational move. After years of being labeled one of the league’s top backups, Brissett finally has a chance to start consistently — and wants compensation that reflects that elevation.

• Voluntary nature of OTAs: These sessions aren’t mandatory, and players commonly skip them when negotiating contracts or preserving health.
• Leverage and timing: Holding out during voluntary offseason activities is a negotiating tactic that buys time without risking fines tied to mandatory minicamps or training camp.
• Risk-reward calculation: Starting 17 games involves real physical risk; additional guarantees give players more certainty.

Who’s behind Brissett on the depth chart — and what that means for Arizona

The Cardinals’ quarterback room contains Gardner Minshew and rookie Carson Beck, a third-round pick last month. Neither presence inspires confidence that Arizona has long-term upside at the position. Complicating matters, the franchise only managed three wins last season, parted ways with Kyler Murray, and used a high draft pick on Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love — all while fielding one of the worst offensive lines in the league.

Depth chart realities

• Jacoby Brissett — expected starter, currently negotiating
• Gardner Minshew — experienced backup with starting experience, limited ceiling
• Carson Beck — rookie with potential but still developing

Bottom line: If Brissett and the team can’t resolve the financial snag quickly, the Cardinals could head into mandatory work and training camp with their quarterback timeline delayed.

Mike LaFleur’s challenge: translating past success without the same personnel

LaFleur arrives after a successful run as an offensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Rams, where he helped unlock Matthew Stafford’s passing attack. Yet, the Rams’ offense was driven by Sean McVay’s overall scheme and a roster built around elite pass protection and weapons. Replicating that in Arizona will be a different task.

• Stafford vs. Brissett: Stafford’s skill set and the Rams’ supporting cast differ drastically from the tools LaFleur has in Phoenix.
• Offensive line concerns: Arizona’s O-line issues make quick implementation of a high-octane scheme tougher.
• Coaching install time: New systems need reps with the starting quarterback to sink in; missed OTAs shorten that runway.

How missing OTAs can affect installation and team chemistry

Across the NFL, new coaches use voluntary OTAs to begin classroom installs and transfer that knowledge to the practice field. Those early weeks are where terminology is standardized and quarterback-receiver timing starts to form. Without the starter present, the team risks losing the most valuable repetitions.

1. Classroom installs and schematic alignment typically begin during OTAs.
2. Practice reps in shorts help iron out timing before pads come on.
3. Missing these increments forces catch-up later, often during mandatory minicamp or training camp when the calendar pressure is higher.

Practical consequence: If Brissett arrives late, he will have fewer reps to learn LaFleur’s play-calls, build rapport with receivers, and adapt to offensive rhythms — all of which can blunt a new coach’s early-year impact.

What to watch next for the Cardinals and their quarterback situation

There are several milestones that will tell whether this is a brief contract standoff or a more disruptive holdout.

• Progress on negotiations toward an increased guarantee or restructured deal for Brissett.
• Brissett’s attendance at the mandatory minicamp and training camp dates.
• Observable chemistry during the first full-team practices once he returns.

Until those boxes are checked, the Arizona locker room will be balancing the normal offseason grind with the added distraction of a starting quarterback seeking new assurances. How quickly the two sides bridge their gap will shape the Cardinals’ ability to hit the ground running under LaFleur and determine whether early optimism around the coaching change has staying power.

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John Davis

John Davis is a sports journalist focused on the NBA, NFL, and major global championships. With seven years of live coverage, he breaks down performances and key strategies. His expertise gives you a clear view of every game and its impact.