Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom reported that an anonymous NFL general manager expects Arizona to move Jacoby Brissett before this season's trade deadline.
"They'll move Brissett by the deadline," the GM said. "Watch."
A second anonymous GM added that the Cardinals drafted Carson Beck specifically because he is the most pro-ready quarterback in the class, regardless of where he was taken.
"They took the quarterback who is the most pro-ready of any of them, for Week 1," the second GM said. "Even more than Mendoza. He's been in college six years. I don't think you take him there to sit."
The Brissett Situation
Brissett went 11-12 as a starter across two seasons in Arizona after signing a two-year, $12.5 million contract, completing 64.9 percent of his passes for 3,366 yards with 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions in his most recent campaign.
He is due a base salary of $4.88 million with only $1.5 million guaranteed in 2026, backup quarterback money for a player who has been asked to start and who believes he has earned a contract that reflects that.
He skipped Phase 1 of voluntary offseason workouts seeking a new extension at starter-level pay.
Arizona has not given him any such indication.
Sources: #AZCardinals QB Jacoby Brissett is not attending Phase 1 of the offseason program and is asking for an extension that pays him as the starter.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 17, 2026
Brissett, set to make $9.06M in ‘26, has only $1.5M in guaranteed money and wants security. AZ appears willing to address it. pic.twitter.com/tl5HdMdvnO
ESPN's Josh Weinfuss reported last month that the Cardinals had not yet informed Brissett he would be the Week 1 starter, which is a notable omission for a player who has been the incumbent for a year and a half.
The addition of Gardner Minshew in free agency and Beck in the third round has narrowed Brissett's leverage considerably.
He is no longer the only veteran option in the room, and is no longer clearly ahead of the next option.
And Beck's arrival has given Arizona a plausible path to developing a long-term answer at the position this season rather than waiting for a better quarterback class in 2027.
What a Brissett Trade Looks Like
Teams most frequently mentioned as logical landing spots include the Green Bay Packers, who signed Tyrod Taylor as their backup but could upgrade that position if Taylor's injury history resurfaces, the Tennessee Titans, who have Will Levis at the top of the depth chart and thin backup options, and the Pittsburgh Steelers, where Brissett could conceivably compete for a starting job if the Aaron Rodgers situation does not resolve.
Jacoby Brissett holding out is insane to me. This guy has made over $66 million dollars for 65 career starts (20-45 record). If he doesn’t want the job, Arizona can get another QB to do it almost as well, which might be better for their long term anyway. pic.twitter.com/0XL8ecyAp3
— Steven Cheah (@StevenCheah) May 5, 2026
A mid-season trade for a veteran quarterback with starting experience is almost always structured around a late-round conditional pick, which would give Arizona a return for a player they might otherwise cut when Beck is ready.
The deadline is not until November.
A lot can change between now and then, including Beck's development curve and how the Cardinals' early-season record affects their willingness to audition a new starter.
Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
