As we inch closer to the Arizona Cardinals' training camp kickoff on July 22, all eyes are on third-round quarterback Carson Beck, who remains the team's lone unsigned draft pick. Beck, taken 65th overall, finds himself in a unique position among his peers, as three other third-rounders selected after him have already inked their deals, albeit without any guaranteed money beyond their signing bonuses.
Kaleb Proctor, the Cardinals' fourth-round pick, recently secured his future with a four-year deal worth $5,643,820, including a signing bonus of $1,263,820. Here's how Proctor's contract is structured over the next four years:
- 2026: $885,000 base salary with a $1,200,955 cap hit
- 2027: $1.05 million salary with a $1,365,955 cap hit
- 2028: $1.165 million salary with a $1,480,955 cap hit
- 2029: $1.28 million salary with a $1,595,955 cap hit
Unfortunately, Proctor's journey has hit an early snag due to a knee injury sustained during offseason workouts. This setback is expected to sideline him for a significant portion, if not all, of the upcoming season.
As training camp commences, Proctor will likely be placed on the active/physically unable to perform list and could transition to reserve/PUP status when the roster is trimmed to 53 players on August 30. This move would adjust his salary to $515,000, effectively reducing his cap charge.
Turning back to Carson Beck, his situation is part of a broader landscape where only 10 draft picks remain unsigned across the league. Notably, the last five selections of the second round received guaranteed money ranging from $3.5 to $4 million above their signing bonuses, setting a contrasting precedent that Beck and his representatives are likely considering.
Here's a snapshot of the unsigned players still navigating contract negotiations:
- Round 1: Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (first overall); Rams quarterback Ty Simpson (13th)
- Round 2: Patriots linebacker Gabe Jacas (55th)
- Round 3: Beck; Bears tight end Sam Roush (69th); 49ers defensive end Romello Height (70th); Steelers quarterback Drew Allar (76th)
- Round 4: Raiders cornerback Jermod McCoy (first pick in round, 101st overall); Texans guard Febechi Nwaiwu (106th); 49ers defensive tackle Gracen Halton (107th)
As the clock ticks down to training camp, the Cardinals and Beck will be eager to reach an agreement that satisfies both parties, ensuring the promising quarterback can join his teammates on the field and begin his professional journey in earnest.
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Cardinals Face A Risky Decision On Two Young Cornerstones
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Wilson, in particular, has a path that could be shaped by patience if he goes through another season and boosts his standing. Johnsons situation is trickier because the Cardinals have to weigh a major investment against the fact that he has not played a full season since his rookie year. With Arizona still trying to sort out its broader direction after a rough run, these are the kinds of calls that can say as much about a teams confidence in its own evaluation as they do about the players themselves. [Read more 🡒]
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Cardinals Fans Just Got The Offseason Reset They Dreaded
Arizonas offseason reset has been less of a splash than a scramble, with the Cardinals coming off a 3-14 finish and trying to rebuild around a new coach after firing Jonathan Gannon. Mike LaFleur now inherits the job, and the early moves have been cautious: the team kept veteran Jacoby Brissett in place under center and used the draft to add rookie running back Jeremiyah Love, giving the roster at least one fresh piece to build around.
LaFleurs arrival comes with real questions attached, since this is his first shot at running a team and his reputation is still being shaped after time working under Sean McVay in Los Angeles. Arizona also brought in Nathaniel Hackett as offensive coordinator, a hire that adds another layer of intrigue to a staff that will be judged quickly in a division where patience is rarely part of the equation. For Cardinals fans, the bigger issue is whether this reset actually points to a cleaner future, or just another transition year with more uncertainty than answers. [Read more 🡒]