The Arizona Cardinals are quietly laying the groundwork for a quarterback shakeup, and it’s looking more like a matter of when, not if, rookie Carson Beck takes the reins. Five weeks into the season, the team has shown enough to keep games competitive, but the front office and coaching staff appear ready to look toward the future.
Jacoby Brissett has been steady, completing 66.3% of his passes for 1,110 yards with nine touchdowns and five interceptions. He’s been efficient in most outings, though a disastrous game against the New York Giants—where he threw a game-losing pick-six—exposed some cracks. Still, Brissett has largely done what’s been asked, but the Cardinals have one eye on the draft pick they invested in Beck.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano reports that the Cardinals are expected to give Beck a shot at some point this season, though the timeline might be more deliberate than fans hope. “I absolutely expect the Cardinals to take a look at Beck at some point this season, though I’ve been told it might not happen until late November, when their schedule eases up a bit,” Graziano wrote. “Arizona’s next six games are at the Rams, home against the Broncos, at the Cowboys, at Seattle, home to the Rams and at Kansas City — a bit of a gauntlet for a rookie QB. Of course, it’s possible we will see Beck sooner, especially if Brissett gets traded at the deadline, but I don’t get the sense the Cardinals are planning to rush this.”
Head coach Mike LaFleur has already hinted that Beck could be moving up the depth chart. Earlier this week, he told reporters he’d consider promoting Beck from emergency backup to the active roster—a clear signal that the team is evaluating their options.
Beck, selected 65th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, brings a polished resume from Miami. Last season, he completed 72.4% of his passes for 3,813 yards, tossing 30 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. His NFL debut in the Hall of Fame Game turned heads, as he completed 15-of-19 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown, showing the poise that made him a coveted prospect.
The Cardinals’ schedule over the next month-plus is brutal, and throwing a rookie into that fire might not be wise. But the team’s long-term vision is clear: they want to see what they have in Beck before the season ends. If Brissett continues to play well, the decision gets harder, but the organization seems committed to giving their young quarterback a real audition.
This situation echoes other quarterback controversies across the league, where teams have had to weigh short-term success against long-term development. The Cardinals are in a rebuilding phase, and getting Beck valuable reps could accelerate their timeline. However, they’re also mindful of not stunting his growth by throwing him into a losing situation.
For now, Brissett remains the starter, but the clock is ticking. As the trade deadline approaches, the Cardinals could also look to move Brissett, which would force Beck into action sooner. Either way, the franchise is clearly planning for a future with Beck under center, and fans should be ready for a changing of the guard.
While the Cardinals sort out their quarterback situation, other teams are facing similar decisions. For instance, the Cowboys are mulling a change at tight end after a costly drop, and the Dodgers are sticking with their superstar despite a slump. But in Arizona, the focus is squarely on the quarterback position and the promise of a rookie who could be the face of the franchise.
