Rookie quarterback Carson Beck has hit a major milestone. The Arizona Cardinals third-round pick threw his first professional touchdown in the second quarter of the Hall of Fame Game against the Carolina Panthers.
Early in the second quarter, Beck hit Simi Fehoko on a fade route from the redzone. That was good for the second touchdown drive of the night that Beck led the Cardinals offense on, but the first that ended with a touchdown pass.
At the time, Beck had completed 10 of 12 passes for 134 yards and the touchdown. That included a pair of deep shots that set up both scores for the Cardinals.
The Cardinals started Beck, with presumed starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett getting the day off. However, there is a very real chance that Beck could force the Cardinals‘ hand and create a larger quarterback controversy. In particular, as Arizona looks to plan for the future.
“I want to see a clean operation and make the right play for the Cardinals in that time,” head coach Mike LaFleur previously said he wanted from Beck.
Carson Beck Has Been Improving in Arizona Cardinals Training Camp
GettyArizona Cardinals QB Carson Beck
Early in Arizona Cardinals Training Camp, there were some concerns about how Carson Beck was playing. In particular, after a couple of videos showing him making mistakes popped up online. However, since then, he has been rapidly improving.
Beck’s accuracy, in particular, has caught the attention of the Cardinals coaches. That includes head coach Mike LaFleur.
“I thought his accuracy is on point (Sunday),” LaFleur said. “I thought it was probably the best, and I thought I think our second and third groups have operated a pretty high clip thus far. Probably the best that they have operated in terms of just you know getting set and going. … They were mimicking the plays that we’re going to run on Thursday night, so that they have a good feel for it.”
That accuracy is something that’s translated so far in the preseason. Add in his experience from college, and the Cardinals’ offense has looked good under Beck.
The Cardinals Could be Facing a QB Battle
GettyArizona Cardinals QBs Carson Beck and Jacoby Brissett
The Cardinals’ offseason was marred by a contract dispute with quarterback Jacoby Brissett. A year removed from taking over as the starter from Kyler Murray, he was looking for a pay raise, and he was willing to miss voluntary workouts to earn it.
Eventually, the Cardinals and Brissett did come to a new deal. That came with a pay raise, implying that he’s going to be the starting quarterback for the 2026 season.
The Cardinals have options, though. Arizona also brought in Gardner Minshew, who has experience as a starter in the NFL. Then, there’s Carson Beck, a third-round pick who the Cardinals are going to want to at least figure out what they have in for the long-term outlook of the quarterback position in Arizona.
The preseason should be an excellent time for Beck to demand more attention from the Cardinals coaches. It’s an opportunity for him to potentially even compete for the starting job, or playing time later in the season. Certainly, if he keeps playing the way he has in the Hall of Fame Game, he’ll be hard to ignore.
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