Cardinals receive eye-opening Carson Beck update amid Jacoby Brissett rumors.

The Arizona Cardinals are pursuing a rebuild for the upcoming offseason, with plans previously centered on Jacoby Brissett serving as a bridge quarterback for the 2026 season. Those plans became uncertain when Brissett indicated he expects to be paid as a starter if he’s going to play in that role. With training camp approaching, Brissett’s status remains unresolved. If he elects to hold out to leverage a new contract, the Cardinals would face a difficult negotiating position. That scenario could also pave the way for third-round rookie quarterback Carson Beck to compete for the starting job.

Carson Beck could be in line to contend for the Week 1 starter role. Last season, Kyler Murray played in only five games, which led the Cardinals to turn to Brissett as the starter. Brissett delivered the best statistical season of his career, posting 315 completions on 485 attempts for 3,366 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions, along with 38 rushing attempts for 168 yards and 1 rushing touchdown. Some observers believed his performance allowed Arizona to effectively shut down Murray for the remainder of the season.

Following the 2025 season, the Cardinals parted ways with Murray and signaled a plan to have Brissett lead the team in 2026, even as the organization drafted Beck and added Gardner Minshew II in free agency. Brissett’s contract dispute has created questions about the quarterback position, opening the door for other possibilities.

One option for Arizona is to bring back Minshew and hope for a similar level of success as Brissett enjoyed last year. Another possibility is to give Beck, who had a notable college career, a shot at the NFL level. Reports from NFL insiders have suggested Beck could earn consistent snaps as a rookie, particularly if Brissett’s contract situation remains unsettled and Brissett does not secure the starting role.

Beck’s college resume includes standout seasons with the Georgia Bulldogs and the Miami Hurricanes. In his lone year at Miami, Beck completed 338 of 467 passes for 3,813 yards with 30 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. While his draft stock was debated, Arizona selected him in the third round with the idea of evaluating him this season.

As Arizona heads into a new campaign, expectations aren’t particularly high, which arguably makes it sensible to explore Beck’s potential sooner rather than later. If Brissett’s status remains uncertain or if his contract negotiations stall, Beck could receive an opportunity to start early in the season.

In summary, the Cardinals are weighing their quarterback plans amid Brissett’s contract negotiations and the presence of Beck and Minshew on the roster. The situation could lead to Beck earning a run as the starter if Brissett’s status becomes unsettled, especially given the team’s broader rebuilding phase and the need to evaluate potential long-term options at the position.