Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett took part in the team’s opening training camp practice this week, returning to the field even as negotiations over a reworked contract for this season remain unresolved.
Brissett had sat out the voluntary portion of the offseason program entirely and only partially participated during mandatory minicamp back in June. On his return, he rotated through drills alongside the rest of the quarterback room, consistently taking his reps last in each rotation as he worked to shake off the rust from his extended absence.
Why Brissett’s return came as no surprise
The team’s first year head coach had already indicated ahead of Thursday’s session that Brissett would be back on the field. When pressed on how the quarterback ended up practicing after missing every other offseason session, the coach offered a simple explanation, noting that Brissett remains under contract and this was simply the first day of camp.
According to the coaching staff, discussions between the organization and Brissett’s representatives remain ongoing, with the coach describing the talks as productive so far even though no resolution has been reached. Brissett is currently slated to earn a base salary in the mid single digit millions, with additional incentive based earnings potentially pushing his total compensation higher.
Is there a quarterback competition brewing in Arizona
Asked directly whether Brissett’s return signals a genuine quarterback competition heading into the season, the coach kept his answer deliberately narrow, framing the moment simply as the first practice of camp rather than the start of any formal competition narrative.
With Brissett back in the fold, the coaching staff’s immediate focus centers on getting him reacclimated to the team’s systems, including play calling cadence, formations, the no huddle package, and both the passing and running schemes the offense plans to run this season.
Coach LaFleur’s approach to training camp
The head coach was clear that he isn’t concerned with what any of his quarterbacks accomplished previously in their careers. Instead, his emphasis is on daily improvement and internal competition, building toward the regular season rather than chasing an early camp peak. He explained that the goal isn’t perfection on any single day in July, but rather steady progress, whether during early non padded practices or once players put pads on and begin practicing more physical, game realistic football.
According to the coach, that mindset extends all the way through the preseason, with the true measure of readiness only arriving once the regular season begins in September, when the coaching staff and players alike will assess whether they did everything possible to build the best possible roster heading into the year.
