Arizona Cardinals third-round quarterback Carson Beck took a long road to the NFL, spending six seasons in college. That marathon gives the rookie signal caller a smart perspective.
“I think everyone has to run their own race,” Beck said via the team’s official website. “The three years I got to play and start are priceless.”
Beck was reminded of how long he was in college when he met Cardinals left tackle Paris Johnson, who is entering his fourth year. The two visited Georgia together during the college recruiting process.
“It aged me a little bit,” Beck said.
Beck joined the Bulldogs in 2020 and took over the starting jobs in 2023 and 2024 before moving to Miami last year. He started 43 games over the last three seasons. The new Cards QB believes his vast experience will serve him well as he takes on the tough challenge of fighting for playing time at the most important position in professional sports.
“Experience is nothing if there is no application from the lessons you learned from the experience,” Beck said.
At least the rookie has been around enough coaches in his time to soak up the talk.
Beck, who turns 25 in November, flashed tremendous upside in college, showing good accuracy, ability to penetrate reads and excellent play-action ability, which will serve him well under Mike LaFleur.
Unlike most other rookie QBs, Beck landed without a longtime starter. Jacoby Brissett played well last year and is expected to be the starter, but he has waived free agency as he wants a new contract. Brissett has been a career bridge. Ditto for fellow Sen. Gardner Minshew. Both have experience, but neither is the long-term solution. That opens the door for Beck to shine through with an impressive offseason performance. If the Cards struggle in 2026, expect the rookie to get a run at some point – Arizona will want to know what they have at QB before heading into the 2027 draft.
“Even if I was the guy at some point, you’re constantly learning, through game experience, through past experiences, meetings, just talking to guys around the facility, you’re trying to get breadcrumbs from everybody,” Beck said. “There’s only one guy out there (at quarterback). … Of course I’d love to play and come forward but again, we’ll see where it takes me.”