The Arizona Cardinals are set to open the 2026 NFL season with Jacoby Brissett under center, but the long view at quarterback is still cloudy. For rookie third-round pick Carson Beck, the wait for meaningful snaps could stretch deep into the season.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano projects that Beck will begin the year buried on the depth chart, with Brissett starting and Gardner Minshew II backing him up. Graziano wrote, “The third-round pick will open the season as the third-string behind Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew II,” and added, “... I could see Beck getting some December starts.”
That timeline fits a Cardinals team that may be fighting an uphill battle almost from the jump. The NFC West is expected to be crowded, and the NFC Wild Card race figures to be tight as well, which could leave Arizona out of the playoff picture early.
The roster does have some appealing pieces on offense. Jeremiyah Love, Trey McBride, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Michael Wilson give the Cardinals a skill group worth watching. But the issues around them are hard to ignore: the offensive line remains a major question, the quarterback room is unsettled, and the defense is still being built.
If Arizona’s season slips away, that’s when Beck could get his shot. The idea, as Graziano laid it out, is that the Cardinals might turn to the rookie once their playoff chances are essentially gone.
December offers a natural opening. Arizona is scheduled to play the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 13, then goes into a Week 14 bye before closing the month with games against the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints. The year ends with the Las Vegas Raiders and San Francisco 49ers in January.
That stretch could give Beck four or five games to show what he can do. And while this is only a projection, the door could open sooner if Brissett struggles or gets hurt.
For now, the expectation is clear: Beck may have to be patient, but it would be a surprise if he doesn’t get at least a few starts before the season is over.
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