$30 million reasons to Keep Jacoby!


By Walter Mitchell

With all of the recent speculation that the Cardinals are showing interest in signing Jimmy Garoppolo or Geno Smith, this begs the question, why not keep Jacoby Brissett?

While Jimmy G. knows Mike LaFleur's system, he hasn't played a full season since 2019 thanks to an array of injuries and declining skills. 

As for Geno Smith, he's coming off his worst season as a starter. 

2025 Stats + Jimmy G's combined stats for the last 3 seasons:

* ARI - Brissett: 315/448, 65.0%, 3,366 yards, 23 TDs, 8 ints., 94.1 RTG

* LV: Smith: 302/448, 67.4%, 3,025 yards, 19 TDs, 17 ints, 84.7 RTG

* LV/LAR Garoppolo (last 3 years): 137/210, 1,539 yards, 9 TDs, 10 ints, 82.3 RTG

Jacoby Brissett has won the locker room in Arizona for his leadership, courage, pocket passing and relentless effort. 

Over the last 12 games in 2025 here were Jacoby's stats and NFL MVP Matthew Stafford's in 2025 and 2024:

* ARI - Brissett: - last 12 games - 3,366 yards, 65.0%, 23 TDs, 8 ints, 94.1 RTG

* LAR - Stafford - last 12 games - 3,243 yards, 65.0%, 34 TDs, 4 ints, 101.2 RTG - 2025

* LAR - Stafford - in 16 starts --- 3,762 yards, 65.8%, 20 TDs, 8 ints., 93.7 RTG

The point is look at the jump Stafford made in production from 2024 to 2025.

Could Jacoby Brissett be primed to do close to the same from 2025 to 2026? 

Conclusion:

Would it be wise for Mike LaFleur to know whether Jacoby Brissett could be his version of Matthew Stafford with the Cardinals? Matthew Stafford is a 38-year-old MVP. Jacoby Brissett is 33. 

The Cardinals have a chance this year to improve their offensive line and their running game. Brining back the chemistry that Jocoby Brissett has with Trey McBride and Michael Wilson could make the offense click. Build off the chemistry, it's too good to waste! 

Plus, by virtue of the Cowboys' game it looked like Jacoby's chemistry with Marvin Harrison Jr. was gaining steam, that is until Marv was set back by inuries and appendicitis. 

Jacoby's 2026 cap hit is $7.2M.

I feel certain that keeping Jacoby as QB1 in 2026 would be much wiser and potentially far for fruitful than gifting Malik Willis (who has only 6 spot starts in 4 seasons) a $30M "prove" it deal that would cost the Cardinals 4-5 good UFA signings. 

Keep that $30M to add:

*RT Jemaine Eleumuor ($9M/yr.),

* G Tevin Jenkins ($2.5M/yr.)

* WR Jalen Nailor ($4.8M a yr.)

* DT Sheldon Rankins ($7.5M/yr.)

* CB Roger McCreary.($6.2M). 

Total: That's $30M + Jacoby's $7.2M (already counted on the cap) reasons.

Comments

  1. Since 61March 1, 2026 at 11:02 AM

    Moving on from Brissett to trade for and invest scarce cap space in a third-tier player like Willis would be a mistake and a sign the front office hasn’t learned anything. Hiring an unproven play-caller/failed QB developer only reaffirms that narrative

    ReplyDelete
  2. Flash87March 1, 2026 at 2:27 PM

    I'd rather see us spend on a guard or tackle as well. Give Jacoby another year in the offense. Get him a three down back like a Mike Washingtin out of Arkansas...anybody else see that 4.3 fourty?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Walter MitchellMarch 2, 2026 at 2:48 AM

      Agreed Flash, why abandon the chemistry that Jacoby has been building with McBride, Wilson and Harrison? All of that goes for naught if the team doesn't at least keep him on the roster with a chance to compete for the starting job.

      Delete
    2. Flash87March 2, 2026 at 2:51 PM

      Would make the install of new offense a little easier as well.

      Delete
    3. Flash87March 2, 2026 at 2:51 PM

      Would make the install of new offense a little easier as well.

      Delete

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