Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Beck (19) reacts during the game against the Carolina Panthers at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Carson Beck earned his first NFL taste by becoming the preseason opener starter for the Arizona Cardinals. Thursday's performance signals that it might not be his last league start at quarterback either. Jacoby Brissett officially isn't guaranteed QB1 duties after Beck shredded the Carolina Panthers in Canton despite the 33-30 loss.
Time to dive into why Brissett's projected starting role is in jeopardy thanks to Beck's Pro Football Hall of Fame game performance.
Carson Beck Masterfully got Cardinals to Execute 98-yard drive
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Beck (19) warms up before playing the the Carolina Panthers at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Beck even faced a four-man rush in the back of his end zone during a crucial third-and-long.
Except the past Georgia and recent Miami star stayed compose under pressure. Ultimately lobbing this 35-yard beauty to Jalen Brooks that even got franchise legend and newly inducted Pro Football Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald clapping.
Carson Beck makes a BEAUTIFUL throw for the big Cardinals first down 👀 pic.twitter.com/iHrSXYe9le
That rose as one of six completions on that same drive for Beck. He connected with Brooks again on a 15-yarder that placed Arizona at Carolina's 25-yard line. Corey Kiner capped off the 13-play drive with punching in a 1-yard touchdown run for the game's first touchdown.
But Beck went 6-for-6 on that drive, with Brooks catching two for 50 yards in that sequence.
Beck Continued to Toss Beautiful Lobs
Cardinals news: Carson Beck's wild NFL history on line in Hall of Fame Game after CFP title game appearance
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
So Beck wasn't through for the evening after that long scoring drive.
The right-hander further demonstrated his vision and trust for his wideouts. Especially executing a red zone touchdown lob to Simi Fehoko, who drew the solo coverage with no safety over the top. But Beck added one more dime to Brooks, the final one stretching 49 yards that placed Arizona inside the red zone.
Beck hit 15 of his 19 throws for 188 yards and tossed the one touchdown. He never turned the ball over compared to his last contest: The 2025 season National Championship Game that saw Indiana knock off Beck and the Miami Hurricanes.
Beck Draws National Praise for HOF Game Outing
The one-time projected first rounder won over multiple analysts on the evening. Including beat writers who don't cover the Cards.
“I know it's a preseason game, but Arizona Cardinals QB Carson Beck is making a good first impression. He's taking what the defense is giving him and when he's taken chances, he's put the ball in spots where the receiver has a chance to make a play on the ball,” Chris Franklin of nj.com posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Louis Riddick of ESPN surfaced as another excited fan of watching Beck.
Even Panthers head coach Dave Canales shared nice compliments of the opposing passer.
“He operated like a professional,” Canales said. “Our rush was decent. He got the ball out, threw some really beautiful passes down the field, up the sideline on some double moves, over the middle, to keep the drive alive in some third-down situations so tip my hat to him.”
Now the league has a new QB competition to monitor on Beck's breakout NFL night. Which also rises under the watch of first-year head coach Mike LaFleur. Beck can distance himself in this QB race with one to two more outings like this one.