Jacoby Brissett’s grip on the Arizona Cardinals’ starting job doesn’t appear to be slipping just yet, but rookie quarterback Carson Beck keeps making it harder to ignore the conversation.
Beck’s showing in the Hall of Fame Game was enough to get people talking about whether he should be pushed into a real competition with Brissett for the QB1 role. He completed 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards, threw a touchdown and did not turn the ball over against the Carolina Panthers on Aug. 6, and that performance added fuel to the idea that he deserves more than a look at the QB2 spot.
Still, there’s no indication Brissett is about to lose the job. Even so, ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss reported that the veteran had a rough Sunday on the practice field, especially when it came to throwing deep.
“Brissett struggled with the deep ball throughout practice Sunday, missing approximately seven deep balls,” Weinfuss wrote. “Some were long.
Some were wide. Four were to Marvin Harrison Jr.
It was an atypical performance from Brissett, who, until Sunday, had been consistent with his deep balls throughout training camp, typically putting them in a place where only his receivers can catch them. After practice, Brissett set out to rectify his misses.
He and Harrison spent about 15 minutes working on deep balls from approximately 30 yards. It looked as though Brissett was working on his deep touch to get his passes where Harrison can make a play.”
One bad practice in early August doesn’t change everything on its own, but it does keep the spotlight on a quarterback room that suddenly has a lot of eyes on it. And Beck keeps giving people reasons to watch.
According to Donnie Druin of Sports Illustrated, Beck was one of the standouts in the Cardinals’ Red and White scrimmage on Sunday. Weinfuss echoed that view, pointing to a strong finish from the rookie.
“Rookie quarterback Carson Beck had a strong finish to Sunday's practice,” Weinfuss added. “He hit rookie wide receiver Reggie Virgil for a touchdown in the back of the end zone and had a quiet celebration to himself afterward. That came after Beck hit wide receiver Bryson Green on a deep ball but then threw an interception.”
Brissett got a reworked deal in late July, and that move is expected to keep him at the top of the depth chart heading into the regular season. But if Beck keeps stacking strong outings, the talk around him could get louder fast - especially with the next preseason game coming against the Las Vegas Raiders.
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