New update on Cardinals' Carson Beck, Jacoby Brissett situation emerges

While Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride recently spoke highly of rookie quarterback and 2026 third-round draft pick Carson Beck, McBride also said that he felt "something crazy" would have to happen for Beck to be named the team's Week 1 starter over presumed QB1 Jacoby Brissett and backup Gardner Minshew II. 

For an update shared on Friday morning, NFL insider Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom US indicated that Brissett staying away from the Cardinals throughout voluntary springtime workouts could result in a "crazy" scenario playing out sooner rather than later.

Carson Beck reportedly impressed Cardinals during springtime workouts

"No one should make too much of the results of any spring practices," La Canfora wrote, "but SportsBoom has long heard that the Cardinals selected Carson Beck in the third round to see him play this season before wading into the 2027 quarterback draft. And with starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett skipping essentially all of the team’s offseason work, mired in a contract impasse, Beck made the most of the opportunity." 

La Canfora noted that some league executives think that Beck's presence could result in the Cardinals parting ways with Brissett before the in-season trade deadline arrives in November. That said, there's a chance that Brissett could hold out if he remains unhappy with his situation when training camps open later this month. Presumably, such a scenario would present Beck with additional opportunities to give first-year head coach Mike LaFleur something to think about. 

Carson Beck "created a buzz in the Cardinals' locker room" during the offseason program

"Beck’s stature and performance created a buzz in the Cardinals' locker room," La Canfora continued. "He played a ton of college football and bounced around, so he picked up different systems and matured." 

Specifically, Beck made a total of 43 starts during what became a six-year college career. Thus, he may be more NFL-ready than many rookie signal-callers selected with high-value draft picks. 

As La Canfora pointed out, playing Beck this fall could help the Cardinals determine whether or not they want to draft a top-tier quarterback prospect in the spring of 2027. In short, it sounds like this could become a situation to monitor unless Brissett inks an extension during the summer. 

"He has prototypical NFL size and sufficient athleticism and a big enough arm, but decision-making will be an issue until proven otherwise," La Canfora added about Beck. 

Perhaps Beck will be permitted to try to prove otherwise as soon as when Arizona opens the regular season with a matchup at the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 13.