‘Next level’ Carson Beck has promising Cardinals connection that’s putting unsettled QB on notice

Jacoby Brissett is back with the Arizona Cardinals, but his future remains unclear.

The veteran quarterback is seeking a re-worked contract after starting 12 games across the 2025 season, having replaced the injured Kyler Murray, who has since departed for the Minnesota Vikings.

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Brissett is now in the final year of a $12.5 million deal, which has only $1.5m in guaranteed salary.

If he remains the Cardinals starter for 2026, he will be one of the lowest-paid signal callers in the NFL. But that could be a big ‘if’.

Carson Beck developing relationship with rookie receiver

Arizona selected Carson Beck in the third round of April’s draft, despite a brutal pre-draft evaluation, bringing the former Georgia and Miami QB into the room to compete with Brissett and the recently-signed Gardner Minshew II.

The Cardinals made no secret of their admiration for the 24-year-old, with new head coach Mike LaFleur suggesting two months ago that he already ‘looks the part’ following six years of college football.

Beck, like all the other NFL rookies, has been taking part in Organized Team Activities (OTAs) in recent weeks — and has already caught the eye on the practice field.

As well as taking a QB with the 65th overall pick, Arizona also invested serious draft capital in running back Jeremiyah Love, selecting him No. 3 overall.

The early signs are promising, with Beck and Love appearing to establish an on-field connection.

Footage shared by reporter Bo Brack and the PHNX Cardinals X account showed the pair connecting on a number of short passes, and it’s fair to say fans have been left excited.

While Brissett put up impressive numbers in 2025, finishing the season with 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions, much of his production was essentially meaningless.

The Cardinals went 1-11 with the veteran as starter, and his ceiling is already clear.

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Beck offers something different, and some fans are already calling for him to get a shot at the starting role, as he’s already developing a connection with RB Love.

“I’m packing for the Super Bowl!” one wrote, having watched footage from OTAs.

“I’ve seen enough,” another said.

“We’re playoff bound,” a third claimed.

“I don’t see any negatives starting Beck Week 1. He’s either awesome and you have your answer, he’s good and you give another season in ’27, or he’s brutal and you have the top pick in ’27. Why waste time with Brissett or Minshew?” a fourth asked.

“QB1”, a fifth concluded.

Carson Beck lands praise for ‘mature’ approach to OTAs

Not only is Beck impressing on the practice field, but he’s also making an impression in the QB room with what reporter Brack described as ‘next level questions’.

Speaking to the press Tuesday, LaFleur revealed that Beck has been asking all the right things of his coaching staff, which went beyond what they expected from a rookie.

“He asked a question, I don’t want to get into the specifics, but he asked the other day about the type of trajectory on the ball,” the HC revealed.

“The answer from us in the quarterback room was, ‘You’re talking feet, you’re talking inches, it’s just reps. I can’t tell you exactly, it’s whatever ball you feel is necessary.’

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“I thought that was a very mature question, and he liked our answer… For him to be even asking those questions, not like, ‘What is my read?’ He’s past all that.

“The guys that are cut from the right cloth, in terms of understanding the ball, they just need reps.”

Beck, clearly, has impressed the Cardinals — and some fans — early on.

That could be bad news for the unsettled Brissett, who’s pushing for an improved contract in 2026.

He might also need to keep a close eye on what Beck is doing behind him, as the signs are positive for the rookie.

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