Carson Beck is the talk of the football world.
It was just one start in a preseason opener, but that's all you need to create buzz, and the discussion for the past 12–16 hours has been about what Beck can do for the Arizona Cardinals and how quickly he can do it.
Beck being the Cardinals' opening-week starter seemed unfathomable a day ago, but now he might be one more good preseason performance from it becoming a reality.
READ MORE: Carson Beck gave the Arizona Cardinals a small sample of what he can do in the NFL
“You might as well go out there and have the benefit of losing games while getting the quarterback experience.”@ChrisCanty99 comments on the Arizona Cardinals starting Carson Beck right away 👀 pic.twitter.com/QEEp6mLDUc
— First Take (@FirstTake) August 7, 2026
"When it comes to the Arizona Cardinals, specifically, you're talking about a guy in Carson Beck that's played in 50 college games. A quarterback that's older than JJ McCarthy is, than Jaxson Dart is. He didn't look like the game was too big for him," former NFL player and current ESPN analyst Chris Canty said.
Carson Beck might be in the right place at the right time
There isn't a lot of financial investment at the quarterback position in Arizona right now. Beck is a third-round pick on a very team-friendly rookie contract. Presumed starter Jacoby Brissett is on a one-year deal for $15.5 million and veteran Gardner Minshew is on a one-year deal for $5.75 million.
Both players are experienced journeymen in the NFL. They are reliable veterans and have reputations for being excellent teammates. While Brissett would certainly be disappointed to be shuttered into a backup role, he is the consummate professional that would help Beck with his preparation and adjustment to the league.
READ MORE: Carson Beck sending Jacoby Brissett to the bench? Let's hold the phone there
The Cardinals are also under a first-year coach, Mike LaFleur, so there isn't the pressure of being in a win-now situation. Even if Beck isn't the Week 1 starter, he's likely going to be the guy at some point this season, as Chase Daniel, another ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback, points out.
Stop with the “it’s only against backups” takes.”
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) August 7, 2026
You know what I care about? Processing, ball placement, anticipation, footwork, & poise. Carson Beck is checking a lot of those boxes tonight. https://t.co/YsnOc2XMay pic.twitter.com/E2HklVDxT2
"The one thing I hate the absolute most is when people are like, 'Oh, he's doing it against backups.' I absolutely hate that. Throwing for a touchdown in his first start ever... He's going to the guy way sooner than people think," Daniel said.
Beck is an older rookie — he'll be 25 in November. He has 43 starts in college, which is the equivalent of three-plus years. He led the Miami Hurricanes on a deep playoff run and won an SEC championship with Georgia.
Some people forget that Beck entered the 2024 season as a likely first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft before an elbow injury and subsequent UCL surgery led him to do an additional year with Miami. Clearly, that worked out well for both parties, and now it looks like another former Hurricane is on his way to a productive NFL career.
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