Carson Beck gave people plenty to talk about in his preseason debut, but the leap from one sharp half in Canton to taking Jacoby Brissett’s job is a big one.
Beck was excellent against the Carolina Panthers in the Hall of Fame Game, throwing for 148 yards and a touchdown before halftime and finishing 15-of-19 for 188 yards. That was enough to set off a wave of reaction online, with plenty of fans and observers suggesting the Cardinals should just hand him the starting job and move Brissett aside before the regular season even begins.
But that’s where the conversation needs to slow down.
Yes, Beck looked comfortable. Yes, he picked apart Carolina’s defense.
And yes, he answered a lot of the noise that had followed him after his last competitive game, when his game-ending interception against Indiana and Curt Cignetti became the latest excuse for people to pile on him. That wasn’t fair then, and it isn’t fair now.
One loss doesn’t define what he did at Miami, and it doesn’t erase the step he took against the Panthers.
Still, the setting matters. Carolina was running backups.
Beck had time to survey the field and get the ball out. He was barely touched all night, which is a very different job description from what he’ll see once the games count.
Canton is a fun way to kick off football season, but it’s not September football. Dave Canales is not going to let a quarterback stand around long enough to make dinner in a real game.
That’s also why Brissett shouldn’t be written off after one preseason showing from Beck. Arizona gave Brissett a one-year, $15.5 million deal for the 2026 season, and the move was made to avoid a camp holdout. Mike LaFleur is entering his first year as head coach, and the message there is pretty clear: Brissett is the guy expected to lead the offense when Week 1 arrives.
Beck absolutely helped his case, and he took a real step forward in Arizona. If Brissett struggles, then the door can open later in the season.
But for Sept. 13 against the Chargers? Not yet.
In Other News...
Miamis Next Wave Could Decide More Than Fans Realize
Miamis fall camp has started to sort out more than just the obvious starters, because a handful of younger players are quietly getting the extra snaps that can shape a season. On the defensive line, the staff is looking closely at the next wave of pass rush help after the departure of the teams top sack producers, and the names worth tracking in that group are Armondo Blount and Marquise Lightfoot.
The same kind of pressure is building on the other side of the ball, where the tight end room has lost some of its depth and the backup plan now matters a lot more. With Elija Lofton already in position to carry a role, freshmen Gavin Mueller and Israel Briggs are being asked to learn fast and provide support, which is a lot to put on newcomers when camp is still sorting itself out. [Read more 🡒]
Keona Davis Could Be Miamis Answer To A Growing D-Line Concern
Miamis defensive line has become one of the more interesting areas on the roster as training camp approaches, with the group suddenly carrying a lot more uncertainty than it did a few months ago. The departures of All-Americans Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor to the NFL left a real void, and the depth chart thinned further with Hayden Lowe no longer in the mix, forcing the staff to rethink how it wants to piece together the front.
Nebraska transfer Keona Davis has quickly become a name to watch because of that flexibility. Miami brought him in to help stabilize a position group that needs bodies and versatility, and coaches are already working to move players around to find the right combinations. Davis can be used in multiple spots along the line, which gives the Hurricanes some much-needed options while they sort out how to replace so much production and experience. [Read more 🡒]