Cardinals Might Not be Turning to Carson Beck Anytime Soon

The Arizona Cardinals have been without their starting quarterback during OTAs, but even that might not open the door for Carson Beck to earn the QB1 job early in his NFL career.

Jacoby Brissett is the team’s starting quarterback this spring, but he’s hoping for a new contract as he enters the upcoming season on the final year of the two-year, $12.5 million contract he signed in 2025. Taking over after Kyler Murray suffered a foot injury, Brissett threw for 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions last season.

The Cardinals boosted the quarterback room for new head coach Mike LaFleur this offseason, signing Gardner Minshew and drafting Carson Beck in the third round.

More News: Cardinals Must Play Carson Beck Sooner Rather Than Later

More News: Texas HC Steve Sarkisian Slams Ole Miss for ‘Basket Weaving' Degree

One might think Beck has the most to gain by Brissett missing OTAs, as the Cardinals should see if the former Georgia and Miami standout can be a future starter for the team this season. If he’s not, Arizona can focus its attention on next year’s talented class.

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated noted on Tuesday that Minshew has a good chance to earn the starting job in Week 1, not even mentioning Beck as a possibility.

“The Jacoby Brissett situation in Arizona is interesting in that Brissett missing reps in a new offense now, as OTAs keep rolling, could open the door for Gardner Minshew II to swoop in and steal the job,” Breer wrote. “Yes, Arizona told Brissett that he's the starter. But that's not a lifetime appointment, and Minshew showing something could have an impact on Arizona's thinking.”

Maybe starting Minshew or Brissett in Week 1 would give Beck a little more time to prepare before seeing action in the regular season, but Minshew is not the long-term option for the Cardinals.

Minshew is 17-30 as a starter in the NFL, throwing for 11,987 yards, 68 touchdowns and 35 interceptions. In 2024, the Las Vegas Raiders benched Minshew for Aidan O’Connell in Week 7 after struggling all throughout training camp and the regular season.

The Cardinals should give Beck the starting gig at some point this season. Given the likelihood that Arizona will draft high enough to take a quarterback in 2027, the earlier they start him and the more time he has to develop, the better LaFleur’s staff can evaluate Beck.

For more on the Cardinals and the NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 9:47 PM.