Carson Beck Played Well. Why it makes the Cardinals look foolish.
Jacoby Brissett and the Arizona Cardinals spent most of the offseason in a contract dispute. Brissett’s previous deal would have cost the Cardinals just $4.88 Million, with only $1.5 Million guaranteed for 2026. The reworked contract pays Brissett a fully guaranteed $15.5 Million with incentives that could make the deal worth $21 Million, per ESPN.
One of the biggest question marks about the contract is why the Cardinals even bothered. They signed Gardner Minshew this offseason, who is as good (if not better) than Jacoby Brissett. The team also drafted Carson Beck.
That last point has a new development - Beck played extremely well in his preseason debut. At the time of this writing, Beck has gone 13/16 for 173 yards and a touchdown pass. Not just any touchdown pass, but a touch pass in the corner of the end zone, over a defender.
It’s worth noting that this is preseason. The defenses are basic. Many of the players on the field won’t make their teams. Most of the ones that do, won’t be starters. Still, Beck played great.
Head Coach Mike LaFleur hasn’t announced a Week 1 starter yet, which presumably means the Cardinals quarterback competition is ongoing. If the competition really is ongoing, why give Brissett a raise?
Brissett’s new contract doesn’t add any years or team control. Most of the new money isn’t tied to any incentives. Since the Cardinals didn’t get anything out of the contract, why not just tell Brissett that they’re not open to renegotiating?
If Beck continues to play well through the preseason, the Cardinals should get him to the field as soon as possible. Yes, the competition will be tougher than preseason - but they need to find out if he’s their guy before a quarterback heavy draft in 2027.
-Written by Seattle Mike