Cardinals Still Have Three Key Players With Unresolved Contracts
Receiver Michael Wilson, quarterback Jacoby Brissett and left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. all enter the summer break with their situations unsettled.
The Arizona Cardinals head into their six-week summer break with three important players still waiting on contract resolution. Receiver Michael Wilson, quarterback Jacoby Brissett and left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. each carry a different situation, but all three remain open questions as the offseason program closes. Together they touch the most important parts of the roster, from protecting the passer to catching the football to steadying a remade quarterback room.
Where do things stand with Michael Wilson?
Michael Wilson is in line for an extension after three seasons in Arizona, and he is coming off the best year of his career. The receiver posted his first 1,000-yard season in 2025, finishing with 1,006 yards. Wilson described the talks as going great, and he made his case by pointing to the broader market for outside receivers who clear that benchmark. Three players from his 2023 draft class have already signed extensions, which adds context to where his number could land. Of six recent receiver extensions, only three were given to players with a 1,000-yard season on their resume, putting Wilson in a relatively select group.
Why is Jacoby Brissett still negotiating?
Jacoby Brissett is looking to rework his deal rather than chase a full extension. The veteran wants to increase his guaranteed money, which currently sits at $1.5 million for the 2026 season. He staged an offseason holdout and then reported during mandatory minicamp to avoid fines, shifting into what amounts to a hold-in while talks continue. Brissett is the experienced presence behind a reshaped Arizona quarterback room that includes rookie Carson Beck. Three starting quarterbacks received extensions this offseason, but sources indicate Brissett is not necessarily seeking that kind of deal. Coach Mike LaFleur summed up the state of play by saying, "We'll see where it goes."
What is the holdup on Paris Johnson Jr.?
Paris Johnson Jr. is the franchise left tackle, and Arizona chose to pick up his fifth-year option in April rather than commit to a long-term deal right away. He becomes eligible for an extension after his third season. Johnson has previously made clear he is aiming high, citing a target of $40 million per year. The market has moved this offseason, with five left tackles signing extensions. The top of that group was Charles Cross at $104.4 million over four years, which sets a reference point for negotiations. Johnson acknowledged the rising tackle market keeps shaping the conversation.
How does this shape the Cardinals offseason?
All three situations land on the most valuable spots on the roster, which is why they carry weight heading into the break. Wilson represents the passing game, Johnson protects the blind side, and Brissett provides the steadying hand behind a young quarterback group. None of the three has reached a resolution, leaving Arizona to manage the conversations across the six-week stretch before training camp. The Wilson talks appear to be progressing, while the Brissett and Johnson situations remain more open ended. How the front office handles each will say a lot about its priorities as the new season approaches.
Players in this story
Sources
- ESPN: Cardinals still have 3 key players with unresolved contracts
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