Jacoby Brissett was on the field for practice on Thursday, July 23, even though the Arizona Cardinals and Brissett still had not reached agreement on a restructured contract. It was the sort of opening-day storyline that underlines just how much the Cardinals still have to settle before the season begins in earnest.
The Cardinals opened training camp early because they are scheduled to play the Carolina Panthers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 6. That adds a sense of urgency to everything in Glendale, Ariz., where Mike LaFleur is trying to get a new look team organised after a 3-14 season and a change from Jonathan Gannon.
Practice 1, but not a finished picture
Asked about Brissett, LaFleur kept the focus on football rather than contract business. “I’d describe it as Practice 1 on July 23,” he said, adding that Brissett is “doing good” before declining to say much more on the talks.
That is understandable, because the contract dispute has been going on for months. But it also means the Cardinals are starting camp with a real unresolved issue around a projected starter at quarterback.
Why Brissett matters to the Cardinals
Brissett’s importance is easy to see. Last season, he took over for the injured Kyler Murray and the Cardinals went 1-11 in games Brissett started or appeared in. The broader numbers were grim too, with Arizona finishing 3-14, so there is little room for uncertainty as the team tries to reset under LaFleur.
This month, the NFL also suspended executive Ryan Gold for violating the league’s gambling policy, another reminder that the Cardinals have already had enough off-field noise. The football side now needs to settle quickly.
Brissett practicing is a positive sign, because it suggests he is participating while the sides continue to work through the contract situation. But the fact remains that no agreement has been reached, and that leaves the Cardinals with one more issue to resolve before the Hall of Fame Game and the wider season ahead.
