The Cardinals got a side of rookie Carson Beck Thursday that showed he at least has a chance to become this team's starting quarterback going forward. It's something they've lacked since the Kyler Murray era went downhill, ultimately resulting in the Cardinals releasing their former No. 1 overall pick.
They released him in March, avoiding paying an added $19.5 million guarantee. That's not only the right financial decision, but it's also looking like the right decision for rebuilding the roster.
Everyone expected the Cardinals, a team with a 3.5 win total projection this season in Vegas, to be a team that lands its franchise quarterback with a top pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. It was even a topic of conversation early on in the Hall of Fame Game.
That could remain the case, but after seeing what Beck had to offer in his performance Thursday, you have to at least continue exploring that possibility as the Cardinals. That's the benefit of moving on from Murray; it gets you out of purgatory as it opens the door to a quarterback audition until Arizona can raise its ceiling.
Kyler Murray's release gives the Cardinals a chance to see what they have in Carson Beck
Murray had flashes in Arizona, but it was clear that it was time for the two parties to go in opposite directions. Who knows, he could even do well with a change of scenery in Minnesota.
While Cardinals fans know Murray wasn't perfect in Arizona, the majority would likely agree that he's better equipped to help that team now than J.J. McCarthy. That's a viable path to a starting role with one of the most underappreciated head coaches in the game in Kevin O'Connell.
But from the Cardinals' standpoint, Beck is a perfect example of why the Murray era had to come to an end. Now, it's just a matter of getting Jacoby Brissett out of the way, making their decision to rework his contract to $15.5 million fully guaranteed look more questionable.
This rebuilding season should be about player development and evaluation more so than anything. There's no better time to see what they actually have in Beck.
If he's able to build off this Hall of Fame Game and carry it all the way into the regular season, Arizona could have a serious positional battle at QB -- one that previously appeared to be resolved the second the Cardinals reworked Brissett's deal.
That's a testament to how impressive Beck looked, and to how desperately the Cardinals need to find a long-term answer at the position. If Beck truly is that answer, it could make their decision to move on from Murray pay off even faster than anticipated.
At the very least, it gives them more time in their search. So if it's not Beck, it should hopefully come in next summer's draft. Another bite at the apple, if you will, all thanks to moving on from the Murray era.
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