Per Mike LaFleur, “It’s the same as where we were a few weeks ago… We’ve had contact, I’ll leave it at that.” Hence, Brissett’s absence from OTAs doesn’t shock the head coach, but it might open the door for another two quarterbacks.

Gardner Minshew and rookie Carson Beck can now see how the QB1 battle can open up for them. The fact is Brissett is not exactly a top-tier QB, in fact, he’s always been a backup. For Minshew and Beck, this is great as they can go ahead and try to compete.

Minshew and Beck could be more promising than Brissett

Minshew has been a starter previously and is regarded as one of the best backups in the NFL. He is a rebel and goes beyond to try and defy the odds. Brissett is somewhat like that, but the fact is Minshew might be more accurate, though has less arm.

As for Beck, he is younger (Minshew is also younger), and has, on paper, a higher ceiling than Brissett. Beck was picked in the third round, so the fact is he could be a sleeper and might get QB1 reps if Brissett and Minshew don’t show out.

The Cardinals are underdogs in every game of the season

In a rare move, the Cardinals are the underdogs according to the Vegas odds in all 17 games of the regular season. It doesn’t matter who their opponents are, according to the bookmakers, the Cardinals are not better than them.

The report regarding the team’s depth chart hierarchy comes from Josh Weinfuss, who shared the news on X earlier this week. Weinfuss stated: “I’ve been told, as of now, Jacoby Brissett is QB1 despite him holding out for a new contract,” noting that the team is moving forward with him as the starter while negotiations continue.

Brissett established a steady floor for the offense last NFL season, setting various career highs in passing yards and touchdowns while showing the poise needed to navigate a young roster. His ability to manage games and limit turnovers remains his greatest strength, giving the Cardinals a competitive edge as they integrate new talent across the offensive line.

Cardinals depth chart QB options

Beyond Brissett, the Cardinals have a mix of high-upside youth and reliable veteran experience to round out the room. Beck arrives from the college ranks with a reputation for accuracy and postseason success, and while the plan is for him to learn as a rookie, his physical tools suggest he could push for playing time if Brissett’s contract situation remains unresolved.

Gardner Minshew II provides the most significant veteran competition, currently slotted as the QB2 with a proven history of winning games in relief roles. Minshew has amassed over 11,000 career passing yards and 68 touchdowns, offering the “Minshew Mania” spark and a dual-threat capability that can keep the Cardinals’ offense moving during unexpected absences.

Rounding out the depth chart is Kedon Slovis, a young developmental prospect entering his second season with the team after a standout college career at BYU. While he saw limited action last year, Slovis provides the franchise with a low-cost, high-potential arm that knows the playbook well.

The latest insight from Ian Rapoport helped cool some of that speculation, offering a more grounded view of the situation. Despite the noise, there appears to be little real momentum toward Arizona as a landing spot. Instead, the focus remains on a scenario that has quietly lingered for months as Rodgers weighs his future with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“I certainly don’t expect him to sign in Arizona. When he decides to play football, if he decides to play football, I expect it to be for the Pittsburgh Steelers. I expect it to be for a contract where they sort of figure out based on the UFA tag.”

Steelers playing the long game while waiting on Aaron Rodgers

For the Pittsburgh Steelers, patience has become a familiar approach. They are once again waiting on Rodgers’ decision, mirroring a situation that already played out before the 2025 season.

Even with a shift on the sidelines, the broader strategy has not changed. Mike McCarthy now leads the team, replacing the dynamic that once involved Mike Tomlin in recruiting Rodgers. Still, the mission remains the same: find stability at quarterback and position the roster to compete immediately for a Super Bowl.

That urgency is reflected in their recent moves. By drafting Drew Allar to compete with Will Howard, the Steelers have invested in the future without closing the door on the present.

Rodgers represents the ideal bridge in that equation, a proven veteran capable of delivering wins now while buying time for younger options to develop into long-term answers.

“You know, honestly right now we’re focused on the guys that we got coming in. You got the unit that we have, you know…Gardner, and Jacoby, and Slovis. And then we draft Carson Beck in the third round. He’ll be here Thursday finally, we’re trying to do some zoom staff,” the head coach said via Jim Rome. “So, we got a room that we’re excited to work with and that’s solely where my focus is.”

It’s clear that LaFleur has experience with Brissett and Minshew, although Rodgers’ pedigree would obviously provide a significant upgrade in quality. What will ultimately be A-Rod’s destination for the upcoming 2026 season?

What role will Carson Beck play?

Following his selection as the first pick of the third round in the 2026 NFL Draft, Carson Beck enters a wide-open Arizona Cardinals quarterback room with a legitimate chance to see the field early. Coming off a stellar 2025 campaign with the Miami Hurricanes where he threw for 3,813 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions with a highly efficient 72.4% completion rate, Beck provides the kind of polished pocket presence.

While coach Mike LaFleur has yet to name a starter for the upcoming season, the narrative in camp suggests that the QB1 battle tightens with a healthy Carson Beck now in the mix. If the rookie can translate his elite collegiate production and championship-level experience into the pro system during the summer, he may very well jump the veterans on the depth chart before the season opener.

Brissett’s current situation in Arizona

Despite being the frontrunner for the QB1 spot, Jacoby Brissett is currently at a contractual crossroads with the Arizona Cardinals. Although he is scheduled to earn a base salary of $4.88 million in 2026—with a total cap hit of $9.19 million—the veteran quarterback has notably skipped the team’s early offseason programs.

Brissett is reportedly seeking a contract extension that reflects his status as a starter, as his current deal only includes $1.5 million in guaranteed money for the upcoming season. While the front office has expressed a willingness to address his request, the recent arrival of Gardner Minshew and the drafting of Carson Beck have sparked league-wide rumors that the Cardinals could potentially move Brissett by the trade deadline if a long-term agreement isn’t reached.

Obstacles to Rodgers’ arrival in Glendale

The Steelers placed a rare UFA tender on Rodgers, allowing him to make $15 million in a 10% raise from last year. However, Rodgers could still command a bigger deal elsewhere. While the Arizona Cardinals have cap space, they may hesitate to meet these demands given their recent draft investment in Carson Beck and the signing of Gardner Minshew.

Furthermore, because of the tender, any team signing the 42-year-old veteran would have to surrender a valuable compensatory pick to Pittsburgh, a high price that likely keeps Rodgers from heading to the desert.

Journalist Gery Woelfel reported on X that sources close to the Cardinals rave about Gannon’s ability to lead, even during challenging seasons filled with roster turnover. The source stated: “The players here loved him. They (the Cardinals) had a lot of injuries and lost a lot close games. But he (Gannon) kept that locker room together.”

Continuing the praise, the report emphasized that the team “bought into what he was coaching and believed in him,” suggesting a strong culture shift is coming to Wisconsin. Woelfel’s source concluded with a confident prediction for the current roster, noting that “Those players up there (in Green Bay) are going to love playing for him.”

How Gannon can evolve the Packers’ defensive unit

Gannon is focused on creating a bespoke scheme for the 2026 season, telling players the system will be a mix of his successful stints in Philadelphia, Arizona, and even college concepts. “I don’t really get caught up in ‘This is my playbook,'” Gannon explained, promising a fresh start that isn’t tied to rigid, outdated coaching philosophies.

His defensive knowledge is extensive, having served as the defensive backs coach for the Colts and the defensive coordinator for a dominant Eagles unit that reached the Super Bowl. While his record as a head coach faced hurdles, his history of developing secondary talent suggests the Packers’ defensive backfield will see immediate technical improvements.

The opportunity to work alongside Matt LaFleur and a top-tier quarterback like Jordan Love were primary factors that drew Gannon to this “iconic franchise.” By combining his experience with the stability of the Packers’ organization, Gannon aims to build a defense that is as resilient and respected as the team’s historic reputation.

Per ESPN, an anonymous Power Four defensive coordinator said about Beck, “I think he’ll be solid. I don’t think he’ll be special. Whether it’s poise or accuracy at key moments, he just seems to have too many misses.”

Those are some harsh words regarding how the opposing defensive coordinators saw Beck. Now, Beck was a second-round pick, so the fact is expectations were never that high to be quite fair.

Beck landing on the Cardinals could be a make-or-break event in his career

The Cardinals could potentially have one of, if not the weakest (on paper) QB room in the NFL. Brissett and Minshew are backups fighting for a starting spot. Hence, if Beck impresses, he could get the starting gig right from the get-go.

However, if Beck fails to even make this a debate, his career might start with him being a backup and never getting the chance to become a starter. Hence, it’s one of those moments where the rookie must be ready to step up.

The Cardinals are in a bad situation overall

The Cardinals are optimistic with Mike LaFleur coming in as the head coach. Besides, they drafted a generational talent like Jeremiyah Love at running back. The Cardinals also have awesome skill position players.

Still, they are in a bad situation. They don’t have a star quarterback, their defense is not precisely elite, and the division in which they play is as tough as one can be. The San Francisco 49ers, the Seattle Seahawks, and the Los Angeles Rams all had 12+ wins last season. The Cardinals had three.

“He’s probably reaching full health now…that guy’s best football is ahead of him, too. He’s healthy, and I think he’s going to do great,” Beck’s former coach at the Miami Hurricanes, Mario Cristobal, revealed via PHNX Cardinals on X.

Now the final decision will rest with LaFleur heading into Week 1. Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew present the veteran options on the depth chart, though the recently drafted rookie will look to seize his opportunity as he enters the NFL.

Beck’s numbers put pressure on the Cardinals’ QB battle

During his 2025 standout season with the Miami Hurricanes, Carson Beck delivered elite production under the guidance of Mario Cristobal, who has long been a vocal supporter of the quarterback’s talent and pocket poise. Beck orchestrated a high-powered offense, completing 72.4% of his passes for 3,813 yards and 30 touchdowns against just 12 interceptions, proving he could thrive in a pro-style system.

After being selected 65th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, his accuracy and maturity make him a strong candidate to push for a starting role in his rookie season. Given the team’s current quarterback room and Beck’s polished skill set, he has a legitimate path to leading the offense in Glendale from day one.

The injury that has plagued Beck in recent times

Carson Beck’s recent career has been significantly impacted by a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right throwing arm. He suffered the devastating injury during the 2024 SEC Championship Game while playing for Georgia, which required surgery and a grueling rehabilitation process that kept him off the field for months.

Although he successfully returned to lead Miami to a national title appearance in 2025, the injury—and a perceived slight dip in arm strength—remains a focal point as he begins his professional career in Arizona.

A tough schedule ahead for Arizona

Although the exact dates of the games are not yet fully confirmed, the Arizona Cardinals are set to face a particularly challenging 2026 season. Considered by many to have the toughest schedule among all 32 franchises, these are the opponents LaFleur’s team will face starting in Week 1.

Following a disappointing 2025 NFL season, the Cardinals released Kyler Murray in March. Now, they have launched a new competition, with high hopes regarding what rookie Carson Beck can achieve.

“Just really excited to add him to the group,” general manager Monti Ossenfort said. “We’ve got two guys that have played and started a lot of games in the NFL in Jacoby and Gardner. I think that’s gonna be a great competition. We’ll add him in here, and we’ll bring him in and see how much he can handle. We’ll just see how that competition plays out in that room. In the end, the guy who’s gonna give us the best chance to win that’s who’s gonna be out there on Sundays.”

Can Carson Beck be the Cardinals’ starting QB in Week 1?

Neither Jacoby Brissett nor Gardner Minshew are regarded as the long-term future of Arizona, and that’s why the Cardinals won’t name a starter yet. While Carson Beck was not a first-round pick, the Cardinals hope he is the hidden gem who could become the team’s long-awaited franchise quarterback.

Beck was the third quarterback selected in the draft, following Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson. His college production and 6-foot-4 frame lead many to believe he was a steal, yet he still has much to prove.

While Brissett may start Week 1 due to his veteran experience, the Cardinals are aware that evaluating Beck early will be vital to determining if they need to draft another signal-caller in 2027 or if the former Miami standout is their guy.

A tough test for Carson Beck

While Kyler Murray’s tenure ended without meeting high expectations, the Cardinals are desperate for a success story. Carson Beck aims to provide that, though the challenge ahead is significant.

In the NFC West, the Seahawks, Rams, and 49ers are all regarded as Super Bowl contenders, while the Cardinals are not. However, if Beck can lead a turnaround and push for the playoffs in his debut season, it could be the spark Arizona has sought for years.

When asked about Beck’s role, Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort said “We just announced his name [Beck] about a half hour ago. We just want to get him in the building. We’re excited to have great competition in that room and we’ll see how it shakes out.”

New head coach Mike LaFleur also spoke on the matter with kind of a similar message. “It benefits anyone at any position to be able to sit back. Sometimes guys don’t have a choice because you have to put your best 22 on the field, so we’ll see where this all shakes out.”

Carson Beck compared to Jacoby Brissett

While the comparison is tough to make since Beck hasn’t played a single snap in the NFL, styles are different. Brissett offers reliable, short-term stability as a seasoned starter, while Beck represents a high-ceiling prospect for the future.

Brissett is looking to get a new contract that resembles a payout for a starting quarterback. However, according to the general manager and head coach, he is not the starter anyway. Hence, if he wants a new contract, then he also needs to beat everyone in the QB room.

There’s a third wheel willing to play spoiler

While the narrative goes with Brissett and Beck, a certain Gardner Minshew could very well compete with both of them. Minshew has a 17-30 record, while Brissett has a 20-45 record. Minshew has a better completion percentage, passer rating, more pass yards per attempt and yards per game than Brissett.

Also, Brissett has 76 touchdowns to Minshew’s 68, but it’s eight touchdowns in 18 more games. Hence, Minshew is very well in the mix to become the starting QB, as his numbers are better than Brissett’s, and he beating Beck could be very much in the table.

Unlike previous drafts, quarterback is not a pressing need across the league. That reality has pushed a number of talented prospects into Day 2, creating potential value picks for teams willing to wait. For front offices, the question is no longer about urgency, it’s about opportunity.

A handful of teams could still be in the market. The Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, and possibly the Pittsburgh Steelers all have varying degrees of uncertainty at the position. Whether it’s long-term planning or depth concerns, each could justify taking a quarterback if the value aligns.

Top QB prospects still on the board for Round 2 in 2026 NFL Draft

Carson Beck enters Day 2 as one of the most polished passers available. The Miami product offers prototypical size, pocket presence, and a calm decision-making style that could translate quickly at the next level. He may not carry elite athletic upside, but his floor makes him an appealing option for quarterback-needy teams. A proven ‘veteran’ in college.

Garrett Nussmeier from LSU brings a different profile. More aggressive, more willing to push the ball downfield, and capable of creating explosive plays. That play style comes with risk, but in the right system, it could unlock high-end production. Teams looking for upside may view him as one of the most intriguing names still available. A year ago, he was seen as a Top 10 pick.

Drew Allar of Penn State remains a fascinating case. Once viewed as a potential first-round talent, his slide into Day 2 reflects inconsistency rather than lack of ability. With his arm strength and physical tools, Allar still offers significant upside for a team willing to develop him. The Steelers could be the team to watch here.

Cole Payton from North Dakota State represents the classic sleeper. Coming from a smaller program, he may not have faced elite competition weekly, but his versatility and athleticism stand out. He could appeal to teams looking for a developmental quarterback with dual-threat potential.

Taylen Green of Arkansas rounds out the group as perhaps the most dynamic athlete among the available quarterbacks. His mobility and playmaking ability make him an intriguing modern option, though refinement as a passer will be key to his long-term success.

Potential fits and what comes next

For the Arizona Cardinals, adding a young quarterback could be about securing depth and future flexibility. The New York Jets may also explore options, especially if they’re not fully settled long term at the position. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns continue to operate with uncertainty at the QB position, making a Day 2 selection a logical move.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a more subtle candidate. While not an immediate necessity, the situation could shift depending on health concerns and long-term planning. That makes a developmental prospect an option worth considering. Right now, they just have Will Howard and Mason Rudolph as Aaron Rodgers hasn’t said anything.

Ultimately, this isn’t a quarterback-heavy draft in terms of demand, but that’s exactly what makes it interesting. With less pressure and more talent available than expected, Day 2 could deliver surprising value. The teams that capitalize may not make the loudest headlines now, but they could end up making the smartest decisions in the long run.

“Yeah, I mean I love my running backs I have now. But having that kind of running back in the backfield with Jaxson. You don’t know who is getting the ball. Love gives me the opportunity to not face double coverage,” Nabers stated during his live reaction to the Draft on Bleacher Report.

With Love out of the picture and set to fly out to Arizona, the Giants’ running back depth chart will likely remain the same (with the likes of Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy, and Devin Singletary) through Day 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Giants’ No. 5 pick is in

Against all odds, the Giants selected OLB Arvell Reese out of Ohio State with the fifth overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. If there’s a position New York has covered it’s on the edge of the defensive line. Even Nabers was caught completely off guard by the pick.

“I mean, I love the player, don’t get me wrong. But just like, ‘where do you play?’ You want to be on the outside of the rush, but we just drafted somebody [Abdul Carter] last year to do that same position,” Nabers admitted his confusion at the Giants’ selection with the No. 5 pick.

Moreover, the star wideout went as far as to criticize the decision not to select safety Caleb Downs as he was available. By the time New York drafts again with the 10th pick, the star out of Ohio State may be off the board.

Nabers wanted help on offense

It’s clear the Giants aren’t taking the route Nabers would’ve liked in the 2026 NFL Draft. In the WR1’s ideal world, New York would have taken Downs with the fifth overall selection and look for someone who can help make his life easier on offense with the No. 10 selection. However, NFL Drafts are rarely perfect. With Love off the board early because of the Cardinals, the Giants had to adapt, and it may be at the expense of Nabers’ wish.