Former NC State QB Jacoby Brissett Earns Massive Raise Ahead of 2026 Season

Former NC State Quarterback Jacoby Brissett, representing himself, was negotiating a raise with the Cardinals the last couple of months, and it was worth it.

Arizona reworked Brissett’s contract, increasing his 2026 salary from $4.88 million to $15.5 million. With incentives, the deal could be worth as much as $21 million this season.

It’s a significant pay raise for the veteran quarterback as he prepares to enter his 11th NFL season.

Betting on Himself Pays Off

After originally signing a two-year, $12.5 million contract with Arizona in March 2025, Brissett was expected to serve as Kyler Murray’s backup.

That changed quickly.

When Murray suffered a season-ending foot injury in Week 5, Brissett took over as the Cardinals’ starting quarterback for the remainder of the season.

Now, with Murray no longer on the roster, Arizona has rewarded Brissett with a substantial raise before the start of the 2026 campaign.

Strong Individual Numbers in Difficult Circumstances

Arizona finished 1-11 in Brissett’s 12 starts last season, but the veteran quarterback was far from the team’s biggest issue.

He quietly put together his best statistical season in the NFL as a primary starter.

2025 Statistics

64.9% completion percentage
3,336 passing yards
23 touchdown passes
8 interceptions
94.1 passer rating

QB1 in Arizona

Although the Cardinals never publicly named Brissett their starter immediately following the offseason release of Murray, it was widely expected he would enter training camp atop the depth chart.

That became official this week.

Head coach Mike LaFleur confirmed Brissett will start Week 1, cementing his status as Arizona’s quarterback entering the season.

The Cardinals also added quarterback depth by signing Gardner Minshew and selecting Carson Beck in the third round of the NFL Draft, but Brissett remains the starter heading into 2026.

Brissett’s Impact in Raleigh

Despite spending only two seasons in Raleigh after transferring from Florida, Brissett left his mark on the Wolfpack record book.

He still ranks among NC State’s all-time leaders in several major statistical categories:

1st in interception avoidance
3rd in rushing yards by a quarterback
6th in passing efficiency
7th in completions
7th in passing touchdowns
7th in completion percentage
7th in total offense
10th in passing yards

NFL Success Among Wolfpack Quarterbacks

Brissett has also built one of the most accomplished NFL careers of any quarterback in NC State history.

Among former Wolfpack quarterbacks to reach the NFL, he currently ranks:

3rd in career passer rating
4th in games played
5th in games started
5th in passing yards
5th in passing touchdowns
5th in wins

Now entering his 11th professional season, Brissett continues to add to an already impressive résumé.

Jacoby Brissett has made a career out of earning opportunities.

Whether it was transferring to NC State, waiting for his chance in the NFL, or representing himself during contract negotiations, he’s consistently bet on himself.

This latest raise is another example.

With Arizona committing to him as its Week 1 starter and rewarding him financially, Brissett heads into the 2026 season with both the confidence of the organization and the opportunity to lead the Cardinals into a new era.