Jacoby Brissett remains absent from voluntary Arizona Cardinals OTAs as his holdout for a contract adjustment continues. This prolonged absence has raised questions about how his teammates view the situation -- a question now answered decisively by wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
On Tuesday, Harrison Jr., a former top-five pick entering his third NFL season, plainly stated his stance: "He's got to be here."
This straightforward declaration from Harrison Jr., the Cardinals' leading receiver, signals clear frustration. In an era where wide receivers frequently vocalize their views on quarterback dynamics, Harrison Jr.'s bluntness is notable and underscores the significance of Brissett's presence to the team's offensive cohesion.
The stakes are high. Brissett was the heart of Arizona's offense in 2025, starting 14 games and throwing for 3,366 yards and 23 touchdowns with eight interceptions on 315 completions from 485 attempts. He also contributed 168 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. Those stats placed him solidly in the middle tier of starting NFL quarterbacks by passing volume, anchoring a team that hovered near playoff contention.
Without Brissett's participation, the offense risks falling behind schedule in preparations for the upcoming season. The Cardinals' wide receiver group, featuring Michael Wilson--who amassed 78 receptions for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns last season--alongside veterans like Devin Duvernay and Simi Fehoko, requires extensive time on the field with their quarterback during OTAs and training camp to build timing and chemistry.
The absence weighs heavily on Harrison Jr., who developed a connection with Brissett in 2025, catching 41 passes for 608 yards and four touchdowns. While those numbers show promise, they fall short of the breakout year expected from a 2024 first-round pick. The team's run-heavy emphasis behind James Conner and rookie Jeremiyah Love, combined with Harrison Jr.'s rookie learning curve, contributed to a tempered statistical season. With Brissett missing, the anticipated leap for Harrison Jr. into a more dominant role faces a significant hurdle.
Historical examples remind of the potential locker room strain caused by holdouts, as with the 2018 Steelers dealing with Le'Veon Bell's season-long absence or the 2020 Seahawks managing a key player's holdout. Those situations sometimes contributed to fractured team chemistry and on-field struggles.
The Cardinals' quarterback depth behind Brissett includes Gardner Minshew, a veteran with minimal recent starts after limited attempts with Kansas City, Kedon Slovis, who has barely taken a snap in regular season play, and their 2026 third-round pick, rookie Carson Beck. Beck, recovering from injury, emphasized the mental challenges of rehabbing: "It was really tough not only physically obviously not being able to throw a football for four months but um the mental side is really hard." He highlighted the importance of rapid mental processing, crucial skills developed through reps with experienced teammates.
Brissett's holdout delays that development for Beck, who benefits both from throwing reps and observing a starter operate the offense. The quarterback room's inexperience combined with Brissett's absence risks putting the offense behind as mandatory minicamp approaches later in June.
Brissett has previously served as a bridge quarterback in Indianapolis and Cleveland, each stint lasting about a season or two before the teams moved on. Now, after a solid 2025 campaign in Arizona, his holdout amid the team drafting Beck in the third round adds to the uncertainty about his long-term role.
Financially, the Cardinals have ample salary cap space, estimated at $35.14 million, sufficient to negotiate Brissett's contract adjustment. The core question is whether the front office views Brissett as the franchise's quarterback or merely a stopgap.
In this context, Harrison Jr.'s public insistence that Brissett "has got to be here" may reflect internal sentiment. Should Brissett miss mandatory minicamp, more teammates, including running back James Conner, tight end Trey McBride, and the offensive line anchored by Paris Johnson Jr., are likely to voice concerns, emphasizing the need for quarterback continuity.
The Cardinals possess one of the NFL's youngest rosters, including rookie running back Jeremiyah Love, the third overall pick in the 2026 draft, who recently shared his lofty ambitions: "I want to be a Hall of Famer." Love's drive underscores the need for stability at quarterback to cultivate team success.
For now, the team awaits Brissett's return. Marvin Harrison Jr.'s unequivocal message places pressure on the quarterback and management to resolve the holdout swiftly. The upcoming weeks will be critical as the Cardinals prepare for the 2026 season aiming to build cohesion around their offense's leader.