The Arizona Cardinals drafted another quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft to increase competition for the QB1 position. 

Despite there already being two contenders for the position, the Cardinals drafted Carson Beck from the Miami Hurricanes. Beck would have to compete with Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew II for the Arizona Cardinals' starting quarterback job.

"We just wanna get him in the building and show him where the cafeteria is," Cardinals' GM Ossenfort said. 

In the 2026 NFL Draft, Ossenfort used the first pick in round three (No. 65 overall) to add Beck to the Cardinals’ roster. When asked how drafting Carson affected their plans for Jacoby, the general manager remained diplomatic about Beck's status as QB1.

“I don't think it really does, I think it's completely independent,” said Ossenfort. “...He's going to have two veterans to work with that have played a lot of football…I think those are two independent things,” he added.

On Saturday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported that it is not an open competition" for the starting quarterback role, signalling Brissett’s status remained unclear in the Cardinals. 

While Brissett is technically the current starter following the release of Kyler Murray in March, his role for the 2026 season is far from guaranteed.

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com also noted that he is holding out for a contract extension that pays him something closer to starter money.  This has further fueled the speculation around his role in the Arizona Cardinals. 

Carson Beck Gives the Arizona Cardinals a Reliable Boost at QB

Carson Beck is known as a high-level collegiate quarterback, primarily for his tenure at Georgia (2020–2024) and his 2025 season at Hurricanes. 

Selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2026 NFL Draft, quarterback Carson Beck brings a high-floor, efficient passing game with a 72.4% completion rate and a 37–6 record as a starter. 

PFF scouting highlights his elite pocket accuracy and rapid 2.33-second average time to throw, making him a reliable, pro-style operator for the Arizona offense. 

As per the Bleacher Report, the addition of Beck into the fold gives head coach Mike LaFleur another quarterback he can evaluate throughout the offseason and training camp.

The front office will likely make its decision based on the evaluation. For the Cardinals, that’s the boost.

Read more at Quarter Back Central!

Written by

Kunwar Yashaswee Chhaunker

Edited by

Arundhoti Palit