The Cardinals ultimately lost a 33-30 thriller, but Beck was one of the biggest positives of the night. The rookie completed 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown, finishing with an impressive 125.4 quarterback rating.

With Jacoby Brissett recently receiving a contract extension from Arizona, Beck was not expected to immediately challenge for the starting job. However, his performance could give the Cardinals something important to evaluate as they look toward the future.

Carson Beck makes strong first impression

Carson Beck looked comfortable operating Arizona’s offense and showed enough accuracy and efficiency to generate excitement about his potential. After the game, the rookie acknowledged that there is still plenty of work ahead despite the strong debut.

“It feels great to go in and succeed and execute within the offense. Obviously, there’s going to be things to fix. You got to go watch the tape and there’s always so much room to improve. Even just being a rookie, being a new guy and kind of getting my first taste of the league.”

Who is starting QB for Cardinals?

For now, Jacoby Brissett remains the expected starting quarterback for the Cardinals. Arizona’s decision to extend the veteran makes that clear. However, the organization also has to think beyond the 2026 season.

If the Cardinals believe Beck has the potential to become their franchise quarterback, giving him meaningful preseason opportunities could help determine whether he is ready to take over in 2027. That makes Beck’s Hall of Fame Game performance more important than the final score suggests.

Arizona has invested in Brissett for the present, but the Cardinals could use the 2026 season to learn whether Beck is the long-term answer at quarterback. If the rookie continues producing at this level, the team may eventually have a much more complicated—and intriguing—quarterback decision on its hands.

Because there’s still a month until the NFL regular season begins and Arizona knows how important its starting quarterback is, Brissett will not play in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. Brissett was confirmed as the Cardinals’ No. 1 quarterback on the depth chart after he and the organization agreed to a contract restructure.

Under his revamped deal, Brissett is guaranteed to make $15.5 million in 2026. Given that financial commitment, it’s easy to see why the Cardinals won’t risk their starting quarterback this early in the preseason. Unfortunately, that means fans won’t get to watch the ever-entertaining signal-caller.

The officiating crew for the 2026 Hall of Fame Game will also miss out on seeing the veteran quarterback in action. Instead, they’ll get their first look at rookie Carson Beck, who will start for the Cardinals against the Panthers. Beck will go head to head with Kenny Pickett, as Bryce Young won’t play for Carolina, either.

Brissett’s numbers in 2025

Coming into the 2026 NFL season with higher expectations and a revamped offense featuring Jeremiyah Love, Trey McBride, and Marvin Harrison Jr., the Cardinals expect Brissett to be up to the task. He is coming off a career year in 2025, when he threw for 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.

At 33 and in the desert, Brissett is playing the best football of his career since being drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Brissett will be working closely with head coach Matt LaFleur, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, quarterbacks coach Matt Schaub, and pass game specialist Connor Senger. It appears he is well equipped both on and off the field to lead the Cardinals.

Making the playoffs may be too much to ask of a team that finished with the third-worst record in the league just months ago and plays in the same division as the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks and the NFC runner-up Los Angeles Rams. Still, crazier things have happened.

Hall of Fame Class of 2026

While the Cardinals and Panthers will go head to head in the 2026 Hall of Fame Game, the spotlight will be on the enshrinement ceremony, as Drew Brees, Adam Vinatieri, Roger Craig, Luke Kuechly, and Larry Fitzgerald will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Last five Hall of Fame Games

• 2025: Los Angeles Chargers 34-7 Detroit Lions
• 2024: Chicago Bears 21-17 Houston Texans
• 2023: Cleveland Browns 21-16 New York Jets
• 2022: Las Vegas Raiders 27-11 Jacksonville Jaguars
• 2021: Pittsburgh Steelers 16-3 Dallas Cowboys

Mike LaFleur and the Cardinals confirmed Brissett as QB1 on the depth chart, but he went even further than that. LaFleur said “We can move on with the football aspect of it.” Drama is over, let’s play football.

Jacoby Brissett will become a free agent after his new contract with the Arizona Cardinals. But, at least for now, it’s all settled and the Cardinals will deal with another QB battle in due time, not now.

Brissett’s 2025 season might grant him the QB1

The Cardinals have Gardner Minshew and Carson Beck on the depth chart, but Brissett still reigns over them. Despite none of the three being world beaters, Brissett at least was a starter last season.

Brissett started 12 games and got a 1-11 record, which is bad. However, individually, he completed 65% of his passes for 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

The Cardinals are still in an uphill battle

Playing in the NFC West puts the Cardinals in an immediate tough scenario. The San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, and Los Angeles Rams are all Super Bowl contenders. Meanwhile, the Cardinals barely even got their QB1 a week before preseason starts.

The schedule is tough, they have a new head coach in Mike LaFleur that has never been a head coach in the NFL before, a lackluster offensive coordinator in Nathaniel Hackett, and a very under-talented roster. Hence, this rebuild might take time before the Cardinals see actual results.

Brissett recently agreed to a one-year, $15.5 million contract, giving Arizona an experienced starter as the franchise continues its rebuilding process. The agreement keeps the veteran in the desert for another season while allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent once the year concludes.

For the Cardinals, the decision reflects a desire for stability during what is expected to be a transitional season. With multiple holes still to address across the roster and one of the NFL’s toughest divisions awaiting them, Arizona believes Brissett gives the offense its best chance to remain competitive.

Cardinals depth chart: Jacoby Brissett is officially QB1

Mike LaFleur left little doubt about Jacoby Brissett’s role when discussing the team’s plans. “He’ll be with our 1s two days from now. How about that? The plan is to get this offense as good as we can be and peaking at the right time for him to be the starter on September 13th. Yes.”

The comments officially establish Brissett as Arizona’s starting quarterback entering training camp and, barring any surprises, for the beginning of the regular season.

The Cardinals understand the challenge ahead. Competing in the NFC West means facing elite opponents every week, and they still have several areas of the roster that need improvement before it can realistically contend for a division title.

That reality makes 2026 an important evaluation year for the organization. Brissett will have an opportunity to prove he can still be an NFL starter, while the Cardinals continue building toward the future under Mike LaFleur. Whether the veteran remains with the franchise beyond this season will likely depend on both his performance and Arizona’s progress throughout the year.

The new deal provides stability for Arizona heading into training camp while also rewarding Brissett with one of the most valuable contracts of his career. With the Cardinals continuing to reshape their roster, the veteran quarterback is expected to receive a legitimate chance to earn the starting role during the 2026 campaign.

However, despite signing a new agreement, Brissett’s long-term future in Arizona remains far from certain. It’s going to be a very interesting season for the Cardinals.

Jacoby Brissett could become a free agent after latest contract

According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, Jacoby Brissett’s new contract does not include any additional years beyond the 2026 season. “There were no new years added to Jacoby Brissett’s reworked contract and he still is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after this season.”

What’s next for Jacoby Brissett?

The contract gives Jacoby Brissett a valuable opportunity to prove he can still be a full-time starting quarterback in the NFL. If he performs well and helps Arizona exceed expectations, the Cardinals could attempt to negotiate another deal next offseason.

On the other hand, another strong season would also allow Brissett to explore free agency and potentially attract interest from quarterback-needy teams around the league.

For now, though, there are no guarantees beyond 2026. Brissett’s immediate focus will be winning the Cardinals’ starting job, knowing that his next contract could depend entirely on what he accomplishes this season.

Under his new deal, Brissett is now set to receive $15.5 million in guaranteed money. Moreover, if he reaches certain incentives throughout the 2026 NFL season, his earnings could climb as high as $21 million for the season.

With Brissett locked in, the Cardinals have secured their quarterback room for the 2026 campaign. Not many expectations are being placed on Arizona, but rolling with a quarterback group accustomed to defying the odds and being overlooked may be exactly what the organization needs to put the league on notice this season.

Cardinals’ QB room

In addition to Brissett, who has now restructured his contract in Glendale, the Cardinals’ quarterback depth chart includes the likes of Gardner Minshew, rookie Carson Beck, and Kedon Slovis.

As things stand, Minshew is expected to be Brissett’s backup. However, reports out of training camp suggest Beck, who signed a $7.4 million deal with the Cardinals, could overtake him for the second-string spot on the depth chart. Who knows? Maybe Beck even gives Brissett a run for his money.

For the time being, the 33-year-old is Arizona’s No. 1 quarterback, but a lot can happen before the season kicks off. Moreover, if Brissett doesn’t get off to a strong start, the buzz around the franchise in the Copper State could quickly turn into calls for the rookie to take over under center.

Brissett’s revamped contract

After standing his ground for most of the offseason, Brissett finally got what he was after. Well aware that he will be Arizona’s starting quarterback this season, the veteran wanted a contract that reflected his status as an NFL starter. At the end of the day, only 32 players can claim that title, and Brissett’s restructured deal is more fitting.

Entering the second year of his two-year contract, Brissett was set to make less than $5 million in base salary this season. Now, his base pay will be more than three times that amount.

With the contract negotiations behind them, Brissett and the entire organization can turn their full attention to training camp and prepare for a challenging year in an NFC West that only seems to get stronger by the day.

According to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN, LaFleur was happy that Brissett reported for the first day of practice. “He’s under contract and it’s the first day of practice,” LaFleur said. However, most importantly he gave a new update on the contractual situation.

LaFleur said talks with Brissett have “been productive between us and his team, so still ongoing but I’d say we’re productive.” This seems to put a close timeline on when things will resolve.

Brissett has to catch up with the Cardinals

Brissett skipped the early portions of the offseason, with a newly-arrived LaFleur. Hence, now the head coach of the Cardinals has stated that Brissett must be caught up to speed.

LaFleur said “We just have to get better. And then when we get to Sept. 13, that’s when we have to say, ‘Hey, did we do everything we could to be the best Cardinal team we could be?‘“

The Cardinals have low expectations for the 2026 NFL season

The Arizona Cardinals face very low expectations and rank near the bottom of power rankings entering the 2026 NFL season. Their roster might have some talent, but overall, the expectations are really low.

Between the talent deficit, the lackluster QB room, their brutal schedule, and a new coaching era, the Cardinals are in for a bad season. Hence, any positives they can find this year are just a silver lining and a sign to build on it for the next year.

“Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett plans to report to minicamp this week despite a contract impasse with the team, sources tell Josh Weinfuss and me. How much he does on the field remains uncertain. Brissett is due a $4.9M salary and wants a raise,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on X.

While Brissett is scheduled to make $4.9 million this season, that below-market figure is likely a major incentive for him to keep fighting for his spot. By showing up, he proves his commitment to the team while keeping the pressure on management to move contract talks in the right direction and secure him a raise.

A Career Year in Arizona Fueling Leverage

Brissett’s strong 2025 campaign is the primary catalyst for his contract demands. While the Cardinals struggled to a 1-11 record in his 12 starts, Brissett put up impressive individual numbers, throwing for 23 touchdowns against just eight interceptions. He also set a career-high with 3,366 passing yards, stats that clearly have him feeling confident about what he can accomplish in his second year with the system.

As a 10-year NFL veteran, Brissett has never been unleashed as a passer quite like this. He completed 315 of 485 attempts (a efficient 64.9% completion rate), proving that his arm talent is elite and that he is ready to deliver if given the opportunity, whether in Arizona or elsewhere.

If the Cardinals decide to move on from Brissett, they do have options in a post-Kyler Murray quarterback room. The depth chart features veteran Gardner Minshew II, rookie Carson Beck, and Kedon Slovis. Still, Brissett represents their most proven commodity, and how Arizona handles this dispute could shape the franchise’s trajectory for the 2026 season.

“Not much. He’s got to be here to do that,” the wide receiver opened up to the press about his connection with Brissett. However, he stated that the veteran’s position is entirely understandable: “I’m all supportive of what he’s doing. He has to do what’s best for him and his family.”

Mike LaFleur has several options at his disposal if this situation remains unresolved in the near future. As for Harrison, he’ll need to be fully prepared and ready to perform regardless of who ends up under center.

What’s going on with Brissett?

Jacoby Brissett is entering the final year of his contract with the Arizona Cardinals, under which he is scheduled to earn roughly $5.44 million for the 2026 season—a figure that includes a base salary of $4.9 million but features only $1.5 million in guaranteed money.

The 33-year-old veteran quarterback has chosen to skip the team’s voluntary Offseason Training Activities because he is actively holding out for a restructured deal with an upgrade in guaranteed cash and starter-level compensation. Following the offseason departure of Kyler Murray, Brissett expects a raise to reflect his status as the projected starter, especially after recently posting a career year with 3,366 passing yards and 23 touchdowns.

Since the current Phase 3 workouts are entirely voluntary, he is not subject to fines, though Mike LaFleur and the front office remain “significantly far apart” from Brissett’s demands while new additions Gardner Minshew and rookie Carson Beck take the first-team reps.

Alternative options for LaFleur in Arizona

With the starting quarterback position in constant analysis, the Arizona Cardinals’ depth chart features three distinct options operating under head coach Mike LaFleur. Veteran Gardner Minshew II provides a highly experienced presence, commanding the first-team reps due to his extensive eight-year NFL track record and a solid $5.75 million contract that anchors him as a premium asset in the room.

Behind him, rookie Carson Beck—selected in the third round with the No. 65 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft—is being carefully integrated, earning praise for his pre-snap communication during Phase 3 workouts as he adapts to the pro-level speed.

Rounding out the group is second-year passer Kedon Slovis, who has used his familiarity with the system to handle the second-team reps, creating a highly competitive environment as the team gears up for training camp.

In fact, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN reported that Brissett and the Cardinals are “significantly” far apart in negotiations. A week ago, Mike LaFleur left plenty of doubts over Brissett’s QB1 status due to him missing all OTAs.

Meanwhile, Carson Beck and Gardner Minshew are training, getting to know their teammates and creating a bond with LaFleur. On the other hand, Brissett is coming off as greedy, and not someone that puts the team first. Bear in mind, Brissett is a career-long backup with some patches of starting football, but it’s not like he’s dominated the NFL.

Brissett has no leverage over the Cardinals

Before the Cardinals made moves, Brissett had all the leverage in the world. He was the only QB on the roster as Kyler Murray was going elsewhere, and he knew the players already.

Now, the Cardinals have two other QBs that could perfectly be at Brissett’s level. Not only that, he’s missing time with a new head coach, which means he’s getting behind in learning mannerisms, schemes, and much more. His biggest mistake is thinking he is still the guy to start. Furthermore, Brissett went 1-11 last season.

Minshew and Beck provide something Brissett doesn’t

Minshew was a starter back in the day, but even as a backup, he brings some rebel manners to his game. He is not afraid of anyone and is somewhat mobile. He also has a better career winning percentage, completion percentage, passing yards per game, and passer rating than Brissett. As for touchdowns, Minshew is just eight shy in 63 games compared to Brissett’s 101.

As for Beck, he is the rookie, the new face that could provide stability for years to come. Beck is the upside option, but has a low floor. If he develops correctly though, all things could change.

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.