ARIZONA - Jacoby Brissett’s new deal finally gave the Cardinals one contract headache off the board, but the work in Arizona is nowhere close to finished.
Brissett secured $15.5 million in guarantees after a long offseason of negotiations, ending the team’s most visible standoff as training camp keeps rolling. Even so, there are still several Cardinals who look like they’re headed for bigger paydays.
Among the names worth watching, left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. stands out first. Some fans wondered whether a deal was close when he opened camp on the PUP list, but he’s healthy now and there’s still no extension in place. Arizona doesn’t have to rush, either, since the former No. 6 overall pick already had his fifth-year option picked up, which keeps him under team control through 2027.
Still, the Cardinals would be smart to get ahead of the market. Left tackle is one of the league’s premium spots, and Johnson looks like the kind of player Arizona can build around for a long time. He’s already talked about wanting $40 million per season, a number that would sit $10 million above the top of the position, held by Leramy Tunsil.
Wide receiver Michael Wilson is another obvious candidate. He’s entering the final year of his rookie deal after his most productive season, but there’s some hesitation about paying him just yet. His production has largely come over the last ten or so games of 2025, and while he finished with 1,000 receiving yards after a slow start, some around the team may want a bigger sample before making a major commitment.
That said, Wilson has produced whenever he’s been given the chance. The issue has been opportunity, not output.
With new head coach Mike LaFleur bringing in a new offense, there’s at least hope Wilson can take a major jump in 2026. The real question for general manager Monti Ossenfort is whether Arizona wants to wait - and whether waiting only makes the price climb.
Then there’s cornerback Garrett Williams, who may be one of the most important pieces on the defense. Recent injuries haven’t changed the fact that he’s one of the NFL’s best slot corners, and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis uses him all over the field because of his football IQ, athleticism and versatility.
Health, though, is part of the equation. If Williams had entered the offseason fully healthy, an extension would have felt like a clear call.
That still might be true, but his arrival to the PUP list at the start of camp after last year’s season-ending Achilles injury could make Arizona pause. The Cardinals could try to land him on a lower number now, or they may prefer to revisit the talks after the regular season.
If Williams gets back to his old form, the fit feels obvious for a cornerback room that has a lot of talent but not much proven production.
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