Three backup quarterbacks poised to steal starting jobs by midseason

Carson Beck’s preseason performance turned heads

Carson Beck entered training camp behind Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew on the Arizona Cardinals’ depth chart. Then he stepped onto the field for the Hall of Fame Game and made the competition considerably more interesting.

Beck completed 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards and one touchdown against the Carolina Panthers. He led two touchdown drives, avoided turnovers and showed impressive composure while operating behind a backup offensive line. One performance does not crown him Arizona’s next franchise quarterback, but it certainly gave the coaching staff something to consider.

Brissett remains the expected Week 1 starter. He is a dependable veteran who can run the offense and prevent Arizona from rushing Beck onto the field. That plan will work until the Cardinals begin losing games or their offense becomes painfully ordinary.

Beck has already shown enough to make fans curious. If he continues developing during practice, Arizona could decide that live repetitions are more valuable than another season spent watching a veteran bridge quarterback.

Shedeur Sanders remains within striking distance

Shedeur Sanders lost Cleveland’s starting competition after head coach Todd Monken selected Deshaun Watson to lead the Browns into the regular season.

That decision does not guarantee Watson will keep the job.

Sanders and Watson rotated first-team repetitions during training camp, and the competition lasted until late August. Sanders had an uneven preseason, including an interception during Cleveland’s opener, but he remained close enough to the job that Monken needed nearly the entire summer to make his choice.

Watson carries significant financial baggage, an extensive injury history and little recent production that inspires confidence. Cleveland may want its investment to work, but stubbornly protecting a contract will not rescue a sinking season.

Sanders is now listed directly behind Watson. If the Browns stumble early or Watson misses time, Monken will not need to redesign the entire offense around an emergency option. He can turn to a quarterback who already received extensive work with the starters.

None of these backup quarterbacks is guaranteed to take over. Mendoza, Beck and Sanders merely possess something most reserves do not: a realistic opening that could arrive before the season reaches its halfway point.