Carson Beck didn’t need long to make a first impression in the Pro Football Hall of Fame game.
The Arizona Cardinals rookie quarterback delivered the throw of the night in the NFL’s preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers, and it was enough to get a reaction from incoming Hall of Fame inductee Larry Fitzgerald. On third-and-seven, Beck was set up in the back of the end zone and watched Jalen Brooks streak past his defender along the right sideline. Beck dropped in a soft deep ball for the biggest gain of Thursday evening.
Beck got the start over recently re-signed Jacoby Brissett, who new Arizona head coach Mike LaFleur chose to rest. Brissett is expected to open the regular season as the starter for the new regime, and he’s already familiar with the organization as he enters his second year with the Cardinals.
For Beck, the moment came after a college run that had him behind center since the National Championship Game. He helped lead Miami back to the biggest stage in college football for the first time since the 2002 season, though the Hurricanes fell 27-21 to Fernando Mendoza and Indiana, with the Hoosiers claiming their first national championship on the football field.
Carson Beck makes a BEAUTIFUL throw for the big Cardinals first down 👀 pic.twitter.com/iHrSXYe9le
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 7, 2026
Beck, who agreed to a $7.4 million contract as part of his rookie deal, was part of a Cardinals rookie class that also includes running back Jeremiyah Love, who got the rest from LaFleur as well. Zonovan Knight handled the rushing work and had 34 yards on the ground with under nine minutes left in the second quarter.
Beck kept stacking good moments after that opening strike to Brooks. He completed his first six passes and later guided a 98-yard drive.
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