Carson Beck's Development Plan Detailed by Cardinals HC Mike LaFleur With Jacoby Brissett As QB1

Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur discussed how the team plans to develop rookie quarterback Carson Beck while he sits at No. 3 on the depth chart behind starter Jacoby Brissett during the 2026 season.

LaFleur explained Friday that Beck and backup passer Gardner Minshew II will split scout-team reps throughout the week leading up to games instead of Minshew solely handling scout-team duties, per ESPN's Josh Weinfuss.

"As you're trying to develop these guys, we just thought it was right to do that," LaFleur said. "If had Gardner been a second-year guy and was our No. 2, then probably wouldn't be doing this. But because he has played so much football, so much meaningful football in this league, understands this system, obviously took all the reps through OTAs, took a ton of reps in training camp, that's why we felt comfortable being able to do this."

Arizona selected Beck with a third-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft following a senior season at Miami in which he helped the Hurricanes appear in the College Football Playoff national championship game.

In 16 starts last season, he completed 72.4 percent of his throws for 3,813 yards and 30 touchdowns compared to 12 interceptions.

It's understandable that the Cardinals want to keep Beck involved in practice throughout the regular season, as he was limited to just one preseason appearance due to a rib injury .

The 23-year-old performed admirably in his lone preseason contest, finishing 15-of-19 for 188 yards and one touchdown without getting picked off.

Still, Brissett will start under center when the Cardinals begin their 2026 campaign against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Kickoff is at 4:25 p.m. ET.