Beck’s selection might raise some eyebrows, but it makes a lot of sense for Arizona, a team that is entering 2026 without a solid guide at quarterback. After parting ways with Kyler Murray in March, Arizona lacks a long-term solution at the position, and Beck represents a development project that could backfire faster than the average Day 2 tight end, given his extensive college experience and strong performance during Miami’s run to the College Football Playoff.
The Cardinals lacked a legitimate third option in their quarterback room as well, a need that has recently become more important. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported that Jacoby Brissett did not attend offseason workouts and will not announce until the Cardinals agree to a contract extension, adding a layer of previously unforeseen drama that makes both Beck and veteran Gardner Minshew more valuable to Arizona’s immediate plans.
A four-star recruit from Jacksonville, Fla., Beck chose Georgia as a highly touted prospect and Stetson Bennett’s intended successor. He got his chance in 2023, throwing for 3,941 yards and a 24-6 TD-INT ratio, leading Georgia to a 12-1 record and was considered one of the top incoming NFL prospects heading into the 2024 season. Elbow injuries dampened his hopes, however, and after declaring for the 2025 draft, Beck instead transferred to Miami, where he led the Hurricanes through a storybook season that included playoff sweeps of reigning national champions Ohio State and Ole Miss before suffering a heartbreaking loss to Indiana in the national title game.
Beck threw for 3,813 yards and a 30-12 TD-INT ratio, delivered in the clutch on multiple occasions and largely rehabilitated his reputation as a prospect in one season in Coral Gables.
With new coach Mike LaFleur at the helm, the Cardinals bought in and added Beck to a quarterback that could one day be his.