Mike LaFleur, Cardinals
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Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur reacting in the middle of photo-ops.
The biggest question concerning the Arizona Cardinals this offseason is what exactly their quarterback plans are for the 2026 season.
NFL free agency saw the Cardinals release Kyler Murray, despite taking on the lump sum of his remaining contract. But they were able to add veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew.
That currently leaves the battle for starting quarterback between Minshew and fellow veteran Jacoby Brissett for new head coach Mike LaFleur to figure out.
There’s also the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft that presents sparing options, to say the least. While the Las Vegas Raiders will most likely take the top quarterback prospect in Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 overall, that leaves the Cardinals with the idea of selecting QB2 Ty Simpson with the third pick.
In ESPN’s latest mock draft, however, the Cardinals not only pass on Simpson — they miss out on him again in the second round and are forced to look elsewhere.
Cardinals Pass on QB Early as Ty Simpson Goes Off Board
ESPN draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr., Matt Miller, Jordan Reid and Field Yates all participated in the latest mock, rotating selections.
Mendoza went No. 1 overall with Kiper’s pick. Reid followed by taking Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa at No. 3 for Arizona.
Simpson wasn’t selected at all in the first round. He finally came off the board at No. 33 overall to the New York Jets — again via Kiper.
That left the Cardinals on the clock immediately after, where Miller projected them to take Clemson edge rusher T.J. Parker.
“Kiper sniped my quarterback target, but we’ll happily take the edge-setting ability and consistent power of Parker along Arizona’s defensive front,” Miller said.
Parker is coming off three seasons at Clemson, where he played in 39 games and totaled 21.5 sacks, four pass deflections and six forced fumbles — all of which were recovered.
Arizona’s defense certainly needs help after ranking 29th in scoring and 27th in total defense in 2025. But that still doesn’t solve the quarterback issue.
Kiper addressed that in the next round.
Cardinals Turn to Carson Beck After Missing Early QB Options
With the No. 65 overall pick in the third round, Kiper had the Cardinals selecting Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck.
“Beck sees the field well and can get the ball out quickly and accurately, and Arizona could let him learn behind Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew. I like this flier, but it also crucially wouldn’t prevent the Cards from going back to the QB well next year in a deeper class,” Kiper said.
Beck’s draft stock has been all over the place throughout his college career.
After his first season as a starter at Georgia, he was widely viewed as a first-round pick — even a potential No. 1 overall selection. But a season filled with inconsistencies, along with a serious arm injury, forced him to return to college and transfer to Miami.
While he helped lead the Hurricanes back to the national championship, his game-ending interception served as a reminder of the concerns that have followed him.
Beck’s biggest strength may be his experience, with more than 40 career starts. Still, how that translates to the NFL remains uncertain — and for a team like Arizona, that’s a gamble at the most important position.