Carson Beck’s Fresh Start with the Cardinals
Carson Beck was picked 52nd overall, just behind Ty Simpson, but there’s a good chance he will be on the field sooner rather than later.
The Cardinals kicked off the NFL Draft by drafting Beck in the third round (65th pick). With starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett missing voluntary practices due to a contract disagreement, Beck might be called to step in right away.
Once viewed as a contender for the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the 6-foot-4, 235-pound Beck, 24, recovered from a tough 2024 season at Georgia—where he threw 12 interceptions—to transfer and lead Miami to the national championship game.
He had a standout performance during the College Football Playoff, wrapping up the year with a commendable 72.4% completion rate and 30 touchdown passes.
“He seems poised to step into that role,” said Arizona head coach Mike LaFleur. “Of course, that doesn’t cover everything. One of the most impressive things about Beck is how he handled high-pressure games, but also how he faced challenges. I believe he improved because of it.”
LaFleur’s easygoing attitude seems to resonate well with Beck.
And Beck isn’t alone in entering a situation that might allow for significant playing time. Penn State’s Drew Allard, drafted as the fourth quarterback by the Steelers, also faces an uncertain depth chart, as current starter Aaron Rodgers remains a free agent contemplating retirement.
In contrast, Simpson was unexpectedly selected in the first round by the Rams at No. 13, which grants him a more substantial contract compared to Beck or Allard. There were discussions about the Cardinals potentially trading up from No. 34 to the late first round to secure a fifth-year option for Simpson.
Even if Simpson finds himself sitting behind 2025 MVP Matthew Stafford for a while, LaFleur believes he still got the better deal when it comes to his own team, outmaneuvering Les Snead and Sean McVay of the Rams.
Rumors swirled on Friday that Beck might not be chosen, yet no quarterbacks were picked in the second round. Ultimately, he outperformed LSU’s Garrett Nussmeyer and Allard, both of whom were often viewed as top contenders alongside him.
“Honestly, I haven’t even stepped inside the facility yet,” Beck remarked. “I plan to just be myself, maximize every opportunity given to me, and simply focus on becoming the best player I can be.”
Beck joins a competitive quarterback lineup that includes Brissett, who is currently aiming for a pay raise from his $4.8 million base salary, and veteran backup Gardner Minshew. The Cardinals recently took a big financial hit, with $54.7 million in dead salary cap space after moving on from former franchise quarterback Kyler Murray, who is now with the Vikings.
“Experience counts for a lot, especially after playing so many games in college; it really shapes you,” Beck mentioned.
Following a notable rookie season by 25-year-old Tyler Shaw with the Saints, teams seem less hesitant to draft older quarterbacks.
Beck has the presence of a franchise quarterback—he’s been romantically linked to internet personality Hannah Cavinder. Notably, Cavinder and her twin sister Haley are engaged to Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson.
The Cardinals had meetings with Beck at the NFL Combine and used one of their 30 prospect visits to bring him to Arizona.
“We spent considerable time with Carson,” Cardinals GM Monty Ossenfort stated. “We had plenty of tape to review, showcasing that he performed well in high-pressure environments. Many aspects really convinced us he was the right choice.”
Ossenfort also felt no particular pressure to overlook drafting a potential new quarterback.
Allard’s selection by the Steelers received a warm reception from the Pittsburgh crowd, which consisted of numerous Steelers and Penn State fans.
If Aller had experienced a better season or hadn’t suffered a torn ACL, it’s hard to say where he might have been drafted.
The Steelers also selected Will Howard in the sixth round last April.
