Carson Beck given NFL career boost he didn't see coming after 'crazy' Cardinals camp
Carson Beck given NFL career boost he didn't see coming after 'crazy' Cardinals camp
Rory RobinsonThu, August 6, 2026 at 1:17 AM UTC
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Carson Beck was unaware he woukd start for the Arizona Cardinals during the the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game -Credit:Getty
Carson Beck must have thought his NFL career would take the traditional route of sitting behind veterans like Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew II by hoping to get a feel for the professional game during camp and to get as many preseason snaps as possible.
Little did the rookie NFL passer know that he would open the year taking the opening snaps in Canton as the Arizona Cardinals prepare to face the Carolina Panthers during the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on Thursday.
Beck has been working through the daily grind of Cardinals training camp and admitted Tuesday he had no idea he would be starting the exhibition at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
Meanwhile, John Harbaugh penalized Jaxson Dart with a 15-yard yellow flag for showboating during Giants practice.
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The third-round pick expected to see the field, but he did not arrive at camp thinking he would be the first Cardinals quarterback out there. Head coach Mike LaFleur announced Beck would start the game just days prior.
"I had no clue I was going to start," Beck admitted to the media.
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"I really didn't have any expectations of going into any of this. Obviously, our schedule is absolutely crazy right now, practice, meetings with training camp and whatnot," he added.
The former Miami and Georgia quarterback said he is ready to take advantage of the opportunity and show what he can do at the NFL level. Beck's last televised game was a loss to Fernando Mendoza and Indiana in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship.
Beck was unaware he'd be starting against the Panthers -Credit:Getty
Arizona selected Beck with the No. 65 overall pick in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. He was the third quarterback taken off the board behind top overall pick Mendoza and 23-year-old former Alabama star Ty Simpson.
Beck impressed early in the rookie minicamp and was among the first top rookie quarterbacks to sign his contract. He agreed to a four-year, $7.4 million rookie deal as he began his climb up Arizona's depth chart.
Beck's best stretch of camp came in late July, when reporters praised his command during a two-minute drill. He went 5-for-7 and capped the drive with a touchdown pass.
The Cardinals will go into the next NFL season with an open QB battle -Credit:Getty
Starting this game does not make Beck Arizona's long-term answer at quarterback. It gives him valuable live reps and a chance to face a real defense in game conditions.
Beck's start is also a chance to show coach LaFleur that his practice success can carry over, while Brissett continues to take starter reps in the final year of his contract.
LaFleur has made it clear that the Cardinals quarterback competition is wide open. The team still has no set depth chart, just 39 days before Week 1 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Source: “AOL Sports”
