NFL team with alienated $230m QB predicted to draft Carson Beck with third pick in draft

Jan 22, 2026 - 13:00
NFL team with alienated $230m QB predicted to draft Carson Beck with third pick in draft

Carson Beck may be headed to the NFL.

The 23-year-old quarterback is fresh off the College Football Playoff National Championship game where his Miami Hurricanes were narrowly defeated 27-21 by the Indiana Hoosiers.

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - AUGUST 31: Carson Beck #11 of the Miami Hurricanes warms up prior to a game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Hard Rock Stadium on August 31, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Beck led the Canes to their first national championship game since 2002
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In the contest, the high-profile Georgia transfer went 19-of-32 passing for 232 yards and one touchdown.

His lone interception, though, would prove to be the dagger in the Canes’ championship hopes, and ultimately be the final play of his collegiate career.

With under one minute of regulation to play and down by a score, Beck launched a deep pass down the field only for it to be intercepted by Hoosiers defensive back Jamari Sharpe, all but icing the game.

After the heartbreaking defeat for Beck – who stunningly admitted he hadn’t attended classes for two years – and co, the Miami quarterback made the headlines when he refused to shake the hands of his opponents.

This had some questioning whether this moment of unsportsmanlike behavior could have some effect on his NFL draft stock.

Beck could be heading to Arizona

But according to prediction market Polymarket, Beck has emerged as the favorite to be drafted by the Arizona Cardinals.

The Cardinals hold the No. 3 overall pick in the draft after a woeful 3-14 campaign, and are tipped to reconstruct the roster, starting with a new quarterback.

This resulted in the firing of head coach Jonathan Gannon on a busy ‘Black Monday’ after three seasons at the helm.

Reports emerged earlier in the 2025 season suggesting that Arizona were going to move on from former No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray after seven lacklustre seasons.

Despite earning two Pro Bowl nods, Murray has led the Cardinals to a winning season just once – back in 2021 – where they also made the playoffs for the first time since 2015.

Miami QB Carson Beck throws a football
Beck could be a top pick in the 2026 NFL draft, with the Cardinals reportedly keen on selecting the Miami star with the No. 3 pick
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Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals walks off the field after the game
Murray is predicted to have played his final down as a member of the Cardinals
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In the 2025 season, the 5-foot-10 signal caller would feature just five times before being benched for backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett.

He finished what is expected to be his final season in Cardinals red having thrown for just 962 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions.

This marked a complete u-turn in belief that Murray was the franchise star from the Cardinals front-office, with the team having handed the 27-year-old a five-year, $230.5 million extension back in 2022.

That contract initially included a unique clause, though.

As part of the huge money deal, Murray was required to sit down and undergo ‘independent study’ of watching film instead of playing video games or watching TV, though the addendum was later removed.

With the offseason just weeks away from beginning, it seems to be only a matter of time before the Cardinals seek a viable trade suitor for Murray, with the Miami Dolphins being one team who have been linked with the quarterback.

One thing they can’t do is release him from the team, otherwise that would incur $57.7 million in dead cap hit between 2026 and 2027.

Finding a trade destination is thus preferable, as this would carry just $17.9 million in dead cap.

Whether the Cardinals are able to offload Murray, though, remains to been, with further questions forming over whether Beck would be worth a gamble with such a high pick, or not.

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