The Arizona Cardinals did add a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft, using the No. 65 pick to select Miami quarterback Carson Beck after an offseason of penny-pinching at the position. Beck will go from a team one win away from a national championship to a Cardinals squad eyeing 2027 and beyond.
With Jacoby Brissett fresh off winning just one game as the starter last season and the signing of Gardner Minshew doing little to move the needle, many fans are wondering if the Beck selection was done with the purpose of putting the rookie out of the field as soon as possible.
Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort is not even going to attempt to look that far ahead at this point, as he jokingly said that his top priority is to get Beck acquainted with the facility and show him where the cafeteria is. The arduous journey of becoming a franchise quarterback in Arizona starts with one step.
Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort jokes when asked about Carson Beck starting
Beck, who was picked by Arizona after ceaseless Ty Simpson rumors, would have gone a lot higher in the Draft a decade ago. With a 37-5 record as a starter and two national championship wins as a backup, Beck has played in and won a ton of big games. The arm strength is there, the ball placement when throwing in rhythm is solid, and his ability to pick up an offense quick will impress Mike LaFleur.
Beck's biggest flaw is some very poor play under pressure, coupled with decision-making that will see him force balls into coverage when it isn't necessary. Ever since suffering an elbow injury in his college career, Beck's arm hasn't looked quite the same as it did during his apex. There may be some development needed before the Cardinals can throw him out there.
Brissett is not only someone who hasn't produced at the level he was at in 2025 prior to that tank-filled campaign, but he is also angling for some extra money. Minshew should not be considered a threat to Beck, especially if he proves to rediscover the arm strength that made him a popular No. 1 pick candidate at Georgia.
The Cardinals may be eyeing the 2027 NFL Draft as they try to land their franchise quarterback, but if Beck gets in games and managed to show them something, Ossenfort (or whoever the GM is) may be willing to change the calculus to account for their young gunslinger.
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