The Arizona Cardinals’ quarterback picture has been a constant talking point since the offseason began, and it’s easy to see why. Jacoby Brissett is locked in as the starter for 2026 after signing his reworked contract, but beyond that, nothing is settled. If the Cardinals struggle the way some expect, a change under center could come later on.
That uncertainty is exactly why the backup battle matters so much in Arizona. The Cardinals need answers not just for the preseason, but for the regular season too.
Gardner Minshew has taken hold of the QB2 job for now. He’s been aggressive in camp, airing it out all over the field and giving the Cardinals a few splash plays along with some giveaways. That’s been the tradeoff with his style, but his veteran résumé and overall body of work have put him squarely behind Brissett.
If Arizona needs a replacement during the season, Minshew would be the first call.
That said, Carson Beck is still sitting in the wings, and the Cardinals have plenty of reason to keep evaluating him. Minshew would need to play at a very high level to keep the rookie from having a role at some point in 2026, because Arizona’s newest quarterback investment is going to get every chance to show what he can do.
Beck’s camp has been uneven. His early work was rough, with accuracy problems dragging him down. But over the last few days, he’s made noticeable progress and started to turn things around.
Even with that improvement, he remains the wild card in the group. Beck feels like a player who will get his chance eventually, though that moment is still down the road.
As for Slovis, his path looks the most difficult. He spent last season on Arizona’s practice squad, but once Minshew and Beck were added, he was no longer in position to seriously challenge for a roster spot. He would have needed a huge leap and the best football of his life to force the Cardinals to reconsider, and that hasn’t happened.
Unless injury changes the picture, Slovis’ future appears to be outside Arizona after the preseason.
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