Arizona Cardinals rookie quarterback Carson Beck is set to make his professional debut this Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams, head coach Mike LaFleur announced on Wednesday. The change in starting lineup comes after Gardner Minshew II was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday. Minshew suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing arm during Sunday's game in Seattle, which effectively opens the door for Beck to secure his first career start.
Beck, who was selected in the third round of the draft by Arizona, spent the first eight weeks of the season as the team's emergency third quarterback. He remained inactive on game day during that stretch. His role expanded to backup quarterback after the Cardinals traded Jacoby Brissett to Baltimore. Despite his limited game-time experience, LaFleur expressed confidence that the young signal caller will not be intimidated by the significance of the moment.
Beck brings extensive college experience to the position, having played in 55 games over six seasons at the University of Georgia and the University of Miami. His most recent start occurred in January during the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, where Miami fell to Indiana with a score of 27-21. Prior to that final, Beck led the Hurricanes to a victory over Ole Miss in the CFP quarterfinals. Notably, that game was played at State Farm Stadium, the same venue where he will take the field for the Cardinals this Sunday.
"I know this isn't too big for him," LaFleur stated regarding Beck's mental preparation. "Go have some fun, man. Go let it sling." The coach emphasized that he expects Beck to treat each play individually and continue the work ethic he has demonstrated during practice sessions. LaFleur noted that while live game conditions are unpredictable, the team has full confidence in Beck's readiness.
Quarterbacks coach Matt Schaub highlighted how Beck has adapted to his increased responsibilities. Since serving as the backup, Beck has doubled his workload by running the scout team offense. Schaub observed that this additional repetition has allowed Beck to improve his ability to move within the pocket and avoid simply going through the motions. The coach described Beck as diligent and noted that the physical reps have been crucial for his development, particularly after a minor injury in camp had previously limited his opportunities.
Schaub also pointed out a noticeable shift in Beck's demeanor following the ramp-up in his workload. While Beck is naturally a confident and somewhat reserved player, the increased activity has allowed him to pick up where he left off after his camp injury. Schaub stated that the coaching staff is pleased with the current trajectory of the rookie's development.
LaFleur credited Beck's professional mindset and college pedigree for his rapid adjustment. The coach noted that Beck has acted like a seasoned professional since arriving in Arizona, putting in precisely the amount of work required. From a physical perspective, LaFleur emphasized that Beck will now receive 100 percent of the repetitions, a significant increase from his time as a backup.
On the field, Beck will be throwing to a group of receivers he has known well during his time on the practice squad. The Cardinals' current active receiving corps, consisting of Simi Fehoko, Reggie Virgil, and Devin Duvernay, has a combined total of eight catches this season. In contrast, the tight end group featuring Trey McBride, Elijah Higgins, and Teagan Quitoriano has accumulated 94 combined receptions, offering Beck a more established target option.
LaFleur believes Beck's familiarity with these players will be a significant advantage. The coach explained that Beck understands the movement patterns and indicators of these receivers because he has seen them in the huddle during practice. Although the Sunday environment will be different, LaFleur is confident that this prior knowledge will benefit the offense.
In other roster moves, LaFleur confirmed on Wednesday that Minshew requires surgery and will miss the remainder of the season. To address the depleted quarterback room, the Cardinals added veterans Josh Johnson and Joey Aguilar to the active roster on Tuesday. LaFleur previously worked with Johnson with the 49ers in 2020 and the Jets in 2021. Regarding Aguilar, LaFleur mentioned that the team had interest in him during the draft process, but they lacked a roster spot at the time. With the current circumstances, acquiring Aguilar became a straightforward decision.
