TEMPE — Jacoby Brissett is the Arizona Cardinals' starting quarterback during spring 2026, but his absence from organized team activities (OTAs) has prompted discussion about the quarterback competition. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated wrote that Brissett missing reps in the team’s new offense could create an opening for Gardner Minshew II to challenge for the Week 1 starting job.

Brissett, who is entering the 2026 NFL season on the final year of a two-year, $12.5 million contract signed in 2025, became the Cardinals’ starter in 2025 after Kyler Murray suffered a foot injury. He finished that season with 3,366 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. The team added competition at quarterback in the 2026 offseason by signing Minshew and drafting Carson Beck in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Beck participated in the Cardinals’ rookie minicamp on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe, Arizona. Mike LaFleur, the team’s head coach for the 2026 season, is implementing a new offensive system that requires quarterbacks to adapt quickly during offseason workouts.

Brissett’s decision to skip OTAs—voluntary sessions that allow players to begin learning the playbook and building chemistry with teammates—has drawn attention. Breer wrote: "The Jacoby Brissett situation in Arizona is interesting in that Brissett missing reps in a new offense now, as OTAs keep rolling, could open the door for Gardner Minshew II to swoop in and steal the job."

He added: "Yes, Arizona told Brissett that he’s the starter. But that’s not a lifetime appointment, and Minshew showing something could have an impact on Arizona’s thinking." Minshew, who has a 17-30 record as an NFL starter, has thrown for 11,987 career yards with 68 touchdowns and 35 interceptions. He was benched by the Las Vegas Raiders in favor of Aidan O’Connell during Week 7 of the 2024 season.