The Arizona Cardinals’ mandatory minicamp kicked off with two huge question marks finally walking through the facility doors — but insiders say the tension inside the building is far from gone.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, star edge rusher Josh Sweat and veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett, both of whom sat out voluntary OTAs, have shown up for the team’s mandatory minicamp. While their presence alone is a relief for a franchise already dealing with plenty of offseason noise, sources close to the situation claim the real storm might only be beginning.
A Contract Standoff? A Trade Demand? The Sweat Mystery Deepens
Josh Sweat, 29, was conspicuously absent from OTAs, sparking a firestorm of speculation that he had requested a trade. The Cardinals front office publicly insisted they have no plans to move the eight-year veteran — especially after inking him to a massive four-year, $76.4 million deal last offseason. But Sweat’s no-show at voluntary workouts had fans and insiders alike wondering: Is he unhappy in the desert?
“There’s definitely something going on behind the scenes,” one league source told us. “He showed up for mandatory camp, but nobody really knows where his head is at.”
After a career-best season in 2025 — 12 sacks, four forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery — Sweat proved he’s one of the most disruptive pass rushers in the league. But if frustration is simmering beneath the surface, the Cardinals could be facing a major distraction as training camp approaches.
Brissett’s Big Bet: Holding Out for a New Payday
Jacoby Brissett’s situation might be even more complicated. The 33-year-old quarterback skipped OTAs in what sources say is a clear push for a new contract. Entering the final year of his two-year, $12.5 million deal, Brissett reportedly wants a significant raise — and he may have earned it.
Last season, Brissett stepped in after Kyler Murray suffered a concussion in Week 5 and never looked back. He started 12 games, throwing for a career-high 3,366 yards and 23 touchdowns while completing 64.9% of his passes. With numbers like that, it’s no surprise he feels he’s playing below market value.
“Jacoby knows he’s the starter right now,” an insider told us. “He’s betting on himself, and he wants to be paid like one.”
But with the Cardinals already committed to a massive contract for Sweat and Murray still on the roster, the financial puzzle could get ugly before it gets solved.
What’s Next for Arizona?
Both players are now in the building for mandatory minicamp, but sources close to the organization say the temperature in the locker room is anything but cool. Could Sweat be playing his final season in Arizona? Will Brissett’s holdout escalate into training camp? And how will head coach Jonathan Gannon manage a roster that suddenly feels like it’s on a knife’s edge?
For now, Cardinals fans can breathe a little easier — their stars are back. But the drama, according to those in the know, is far from over.
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