The 2026 NFL preseason is kicking off with a battle between the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers in the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame game. The matchup will mark Carson Beck’s first chance to prove himself at the NFL level.
The Cardinals are expected to start Beck in lieu of veterans Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew. It isn’t clear exactly how long the rookie will play, but the expectation is he and Kedon Slovis will handle most – if not all – of the action on Thursday night.
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Here’s everything to know about Beck as he looks to show the Cardinals what he can do in the NFL.
Where did Carson Beck go to college?
Beck played for both Georgia and Miami (FL) during his college career. He spent his first five seasons with the Bulldogs before playing for the Hurricanes during his sixth and final campaign.
Beck spent his first three seasons as a backup before becoming Georgia’s primary starter in 2023. He played 55 total games across his six college seasons.
Carson Beck college stats
Beck was a prolific passer across his seasons as a starter, logging a high completion percentage but also struggling with turnovers over his last two campaigns. Below is a full look at the numbers he generated across his college career.
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Beck’s best season came in 2023, when he completed 72.4% of his passes for 3,941 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions. He posted similar numbers while tossing a career-high 30 touchdowns in his lone season with the Hurricanes in 2025, but he also threw 12 interceptions.
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Did Carson Beck win a national championship?
Yes, Beck won two national championships during his time at Georgia. However, he was not the starting quarterback for either of those title-winning squads. Stetson Bennett IV was the top quarterback for each of those squads and eventually became a fourth-round selection of the Los Angeles Rams in 2023.
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Where did Carson Beck get drafted?
Beck was once considered a potential first-round pick, but he ultimately ended up being selected in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The Cardinals chose him with the 65th overall pick – the first selection of the third round – to have him compete for a job in the team’s quarterback room.
Is Carson Beck the Cardinals’ QB1?
Not yet. Beck finds himself behind Brissett and Minshew on Arizona’s quarterback depth chart opening the preseason. The expectation is the rookie will have a chance to state his case for the starting job at some point during his maiden NFL season, but he will first need to climb the ladder to earn that opportunity.
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Cardinals QB depth chart
Below is a full look at the pecking order within the Cardinals’ quarterback room, according to the team’s unofficial depth chart.
The Cardinals gave Brissett a raise amid an ongoing dispute, indicating that he will have the first chance to start after posting 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions for the team last season. Meanwhile, Minshew – a seven-year veteran – was inked to a one-year, $5.75 million deal in free agency to provide experienced depth behind Brissett.
Still, Beck could have a path toward starting at some point during his rookie season. If either the journeymen veterans or the Cardinals sputter, Mike LaFleur might be interested in seeing what Beck can offer the team.
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Carson Beck contract details
Beck is set to make less than both Brissett and Minshew this season. He signed a four-year, $7.4 million rookie contract after being a third-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Beck’s average annual value (AAV) of $1.85 million ranks 61st among NFL quarterbacks, according to OverTheCap.com.
How old is Carson Beck?
Because Beck played six college seasons, he is on the older side for a rookie. He will be 24 when the 2026 NFL season starts but will turn 25 on November 19.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Carson Beck is starting for Cardinals. Here’s everything to know about rookie QB
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