The Cardinals’ decision to ship Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Houston Texans this week has only sharpened the noise around what comes next in Arizona. A 1-4 start already had people wondering whether the team was looking ahead to 2027, and now the quarterback conversation is right there with it.
The biggest question hanging over first-year head coach Mike LaFleur is when, not if, rookie Carson Beck gets his turn. ESPN’s Dan Graziano said Wednesday that he expects Arizona to eventually take a look at the third-round pick, but not necessarily anytime soon.
“I absolutely expect the Cardinals to take a look at Beck at some point this season, though I've been told it might not happen until late November, when their schedule eases up a bit,” Graziano explained. “Arizona's next six games are at the Rams, home against the Broncos, at the Cowboys, at Seattle, home to the Rams and at Kansas City -- a bit of a gauntlet for a rookie QB. ...I don't get the sense the Cardinals are planning to rush this.”
That schedule is part of the reason this might drag deeper into the season than some fans expect. Arizona’s next six opponents make for a brutal stretch, and Graziano also pointed out that Beck could arrive earlier if the Cardinals move Jacoby Brissett before the Nov. 10 trade deadline. As of the morning of Oct. 14, it wasn’t clear what Arizona could get back for Brissett.
For now, Brissett’s play gives LaFleur reason to stay the course. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN noted that “Brissett isn't playing poorly,” adding, “His 57.6 QBR ranks 16th in the NFL, and his 132 completions rank third.”
That production helps explain why the Cardinals may not be eager to make a switch before Thanksgiving. Even so, if the losses keep piling up and Arizona only manages one or two more wins before Week 12, LaFleur may decide he has little to gain by sticking with Brissett any longer.
In Other News...
Sean McVay Sends Clear Message As Rams Deal With Alaric Jackson Fallout
The Rams now have to manage an early-season hit to the offensive line after left tackle Alaric Jackson was suspended for two games by the NFL following an incident in which he punched Bills linebacker Bradley Chubb. Sean McVay addressed the situation by stressing how important it is for Jackson to represent the team the right way, while also outlining the immediate football impact with David Quesenberry set to step in during the suspension.
McVay also said Jackson is expected to appeal, which leaves a familiar kind of uncertainty hanging over a position group the Rams can ill afford to destabilize. For a team trying to keep its offense on track, the on-field answer may be straightforward for now, but the broader fallout from the incident is still unfolding. [Read more 🡒]
Kyren Williams Controversy Has Rams Fans Debating More Than His Numbers
Kyren Williams latest outing against the Bills became a talking point for reasons that went well beyond the Rams offense. The running back was credited with 49 rushing yards on 16 carries, and while that kind of line usually fades quickly into the weekly stat sheet, this one has lingered because it sits so close to a round number that plenty of viewers thought had been reached.
The dispute has mostly lived in the world of sports gamblers and social media, where frustration has been aimed at sportsbooks and the official measurement of the run. Williams has still given the Rams steady production through five games this season, with 343 rushing yards and four touchdowns, but the lingering debate shows how one yard can take on a life of its own when the numbers are tight and the stakes feel bigger than the box score. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Suddenly Face A Major O-Line Problem At The Worst Time
A late-week jolt has left the Rams dealing with an offensive line issue at exactly the wrong point in the schedule. Alaric Jackson, who has handled the left tackle spot, was suspended for two games after punching Bills linebacker Bradley Chubb during a game, and while he plans to appeal, Sean McVay is already preparing as if the team will be without him.
David Quessenberry is the next man up and is expected to start in Jacksons place against the Cardinals and Raiders, a stretch that will test the Rams protection plan in a hurry. For a team that needs stability up front, the uncertainty around Jackson adds another layer of pressure to an offense that can least afford to shuffle its line in back-to-back games. [Read more 🡒]