The Arizona Cardinals raised more questions than answers by taking Miami star quarterback Carson Beck with the 65th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Chief among the club's concerns is what his arrival means for Jacoby Brissett, who's seeking a raise.
Brissett skipped the start of the Cardinals' offseason workout program because he's reportedly seeking a contract extension that "pays him as the starter." However, his situation suddenly becomes much more complicated with Beck in the picture.
Will Beck be given a chance to be the guy in Arizona? It will be fascinating to see how he affects the organization's short- and long-term outlook. Either way, his selection can't be good news for Brissett's future with the Cardinals.
Cardinals answer Jacoby Brissett contract drama by selecting Miami QB Carson Beck in 2026 NFL Draft
Arizona's actions tell us how they truly view Brissett. They signed veteran journeyman Gardner Minshew in free agency in March and chose Beck roughly six weeks later. That doesn't exactly exude confidence.
Bringing in a seasoned pro like Minshew to compete is one thing; his addition can actually be seen as a vote of confidence in Brissett. Conversely, making a meaningful investment in a rookie suggests the Cardinals are digging in their heels on not giving the latter a new deal.
Perhaps the Cardinals will turn around and trade Brissett. His expiring salary and value at the most important position in football make him a valuable asset. He'd presumably garner a considerable amount of interest from teams in need of a proven signal-caller.
Meanwhile, Beck comes with a ton of experience, solid arm talent and good size (6-foot-4, 233 pounds). He profiles as a game manager who could assume first-string duties if needed. Arizona may be tempted to see what it has in him rather than meeting Brissett's demands, especially in a rebuilding year.
Beck spent his first five collegiate campaigns at Georgia and was part of two national championships as a backup before transferring to Miami. He completed an ACC-best 72.4 percent of his passes for 3,813 yards, 30 touchdowns and 12 interceptions as a sixth-year senior.
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