Cardinals' Carson Beck addresses unique situation amid Jacoby Brissett uncertainty

Last week, first-year Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur suggested that he may not be married to the idea of naming Jacoby Brissett the team's starting quarterback over fellow journeyman Gardner Minshew II and rookie Carson Beck.

Brissett attended the team's mandatory minicamp after he stayed away from the club throughout voluntary springtime workouts amid his desire for an adjusted contract. During a recent appearance on Arizona Sports’ "Cardinals Corner" program, Beck addressed what could be a unique situation for the first-year pro. 

Carson Beck discusses his mindset amid questions about the Cardinals' quarterback situation

"I think it’s easy to look down the road. It’s easy to want certain things without putting the work in behind the scenes and focusing on the little things that you have to do right to be able to actually get into that position," Beck said, per Tyler Drake of Arizona Sports. "But you can miss out on the opportunity. So, having that mindset is important. The biggest thing for me is, how can I be the best Carson Beck that I can be? The best version of Carson Beck that, when an opportunity or my name is called on, that I’m ready for that and that I can ultimately have success and put my best foot forward."

Cardinals reporter Josh Weinfuss of ESPN has said on multiple occasions that Brissett "was told by the Cardinals after free agency that he was their starting quarterback." As recently as Monday, Matt Severance of CBS Sports noted that the Cardinals' QB1 gig is "Brissett's job to lose unless contract demands" get in the way. 

That said, it's unknown how Brissett will respond if he remains unhappy with the Cardinals through the middle of July. It's also unclear if LaFleur is serious about potentially holding a legitimate competition for the starting quarterback job.

Carson Beck is having "fun" learning the Cardinals' playbook

"I’d say the most different/interesting thing is just the playbook," Beck said about making the transition from college to the pros. "Just the volume of what it is. It’s been fun, though. It stimulates my mind. It’s the side of the game that I love and appreciate. It’s the chess match that goes into it that I don’t know if a lot of football fans and viewers really understand how much goes into it as far as the preparation standpoint, the studying standpoint, understanding the playbook and what you’re trying to do against certain defenses."

Unless Brissett and the Cardinals work something out over the next month or so, Beck could be given a chance to have fun while competing with Minshew to be Arizona's Week 1 starter through the preseason.