Cardinals sign Beck to rookie contract

Solak is among the NFL analysts identifying the Cardinals as a prime landing spot for Sorsby, who will enter the league’s supplemental draft after forgoing his final collegiate season following a sports betting scandal. The weak-armed Beck, selected by Arizona with the 65th pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, would have little chance of holding off Sorsby this season if the Cards bring in Sorsby, who was graded by Pro Football Focus as the eighth best passer in the nation last year. In Arizona, the dual-threat Sorsby — he had 18 rushing touchdowns over his final two collegiate seasons — would have a real chance at fantasy relevance unless the Cardinals are intent on wasting an entire season with Jacoby Brissett under center.

Brissett has one year left on his deal, which includes $1.5 million in guarantees. He can make up to $5.39 million. Fellow Cardinals QB Gardner Minshew signed a one-year deal with the team this offseason that netted him $5.14 million in guarantees. The front office also invested a third-round pick in rookie QB Carson Beck. It’s easy to see why Brissett is seeking increased financial security, but he may not have the leverage required to attain it. It is unknown whether Brissett will attend next week’s voluntary organized team activities. A mandatory minicamp for veterans and rookies is scheduled to take place June 8-10. Things could become even more contentious if he refuses to attend the mandatory events. Hopefully, the dispute will be resolved soon. Brissett, 33, showed last year that he has the ability to distribute the ball in a fantasy-friendly manner for Cardinals pass catchers.

Beck underwent surgery to repair the UCL in his right elbow in December 2024. His recent comments come after a 2025 season at Miami in which he averaged just a 4.8-yard aDOT. With veteran QB Jacoby Brissett hoping for a new contract, Beck could be afforded opportunities to back up his comments in training camp this summer. At best, Beck’s pocket passing style lends itself to a QB2 fantasy valuation, but he might be able to manage games in a fantasy-friendly manner for his pass catchers. That said, Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur recently said, “it won’t be the worst thing for him” if Beck ends up sitting for part or all of his rookie season.

“It benefits anyone in any position to be able to sit back,” LaFleur is quoted as saying by ESPN. “Sometimes, guys don’t have the choice because you have to put your best 22 out on the field there.” Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew currently occupy the two spots ahead of Beck on the depth chart. It doesn’t seem like there’s any reason to believe that the Cardinals are pushing Beck to play this year, which is exactly the return you want from your high third-round pick.

With the Rams taking Ty Simpson early in the first round for some reason, the Cardinals add Beck to their paltry QB room alongside Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew. Beck (6’4”/233) and his Miami Hurricanes were the runners-up in this year’s national championship game. A sixth-year prospect who started his career as a backup at Georgia, Beck wound up starting two seasons (2023 and 2024) for the Bulldogs before transferring to Miami for his final season. Beck has the prototypical size of a pocket passer, but was a short-yardage merchant during his final season at Miami, averaging a 4.8 average depth of target on his completed passes with 64.8 percent of his throws traveling fewer than 10 air yards. There are also concerns about his throwing arm after he underwent UCL surgery in 2024. Beck’s conservative style limits bad plays, and he’s displayed a good knack for avoiding sacks when pressured. More of a game manager than a player who will air it out to win you games, Beck could thrive in the right system and one day get a chance to start. Brissett would be far better for Trey McBride and Marvin Harrison Jr. for fantasy purposes.

It’s an interesting list of teams. Just a few hours ago, Rapoport’s colleague, Tom Pelissero, reported that the Dolphins and Browns, among other teams, were calling around about trade-up opportunities. Per Rapoport, the potential candidates to be drafted are Miami QB Carson Beck, Penn State QB Drew Allar and LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier. NFL insider Jordan Schultz issued a similar report minutes later, linking Beck to the Cardinals, while echoing Rapoport and Pelissero’s trade-up candidates. He believes a wide receiver run is also in play.

Pelissero echoed NFL insider Jordan Schultz’s phrasing from a report issued earlier today, saying it sounds like the 49ers are “very open” to fielding trade offers for the No. 33 overall pick. Pelissero mentions Ohio State DT Kayden McDonald, Washington WR Denzel Boston, Miami QB Carson Beck and Tennessee CBs Colton Hood and Jermod McCoy as possible targets.

Pelissero isn’t saying he expects Beck to come off the board on the first night of the draft. In his words, there’s simply a “non-trivial chance” the Miami passer is selected in the first 32 picks. We doubt this comes to fruition, but it is a clear sign that NFL teams might be higher than expected on Beck. At a minimum, it sounds like Beck is a good bet to go on the second day of the draft. Coming off a season with 3,813 yards, 30 scores, and 12 interceptions, Beck could have some appeal in Superflex dynasty leagues. He is unlikely to make much noise in redraft formats, barring a surprise tomorrow.

DeFabo notes that Steelers HC Mike McCarthy dropped a few clues when he said he likes quarterbacks with “big hands and long arms” and sometimes gets more excited about the floor than the ceiling. Beck and Penn State QB Drew Allar seem to be firmly on the radar for Pittsburgh, with Allar as the high-ceiling option to Beck’s safer floor. Beck could be targeted in the middle rounds.

McCarthy also said he hopes to develop 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard, mentioning making tweaks to the 24-year-old’s footwork to help him “win from the pocket.” While Steelers owner Art Rooney II said he hopes to have Aaron Rodgers’ return decision by draft weekend, the team will need long-term plans at the quarterback position. In his first year as Steelers head coach, McCarthy will aim to develop Howard and also add his own selection from the 2026 rookie class. DeFabo reports the Steelers have met with Miami’s Carson Beck at the NFL Combine and at the team’s facility. Drew Allar, Ty Simpson, Cole Payton, and Taylen Green are also mentioned as options by DeFabo. As the Steelers await Aaron Rodgers for a second straight offseason, evaluation for a younger quarterback room will be underway.