TEMPE, Ariz. — The Arizona Cardinals got a quarterback — it just wasn’t who everyone expected.
Arizona drafted former Miami star Carson Beck with the 65th pick — the first pick of the third round — on Friday, muddying an already cloudy quarterback situation for the Cardinals.
The Cardinals had been linked to Ty Simpson for weeks, with the idea that they would trade back into the first round to take the former Alabama quarterback. The Los Angeles Rams dashed that idea, however, by drafting Simpson at No. 13 on Thursday night.
Editor’s Picks
Cardinals’ 2026 NFL draft picks: Focus stays on offense with QB Carson Beck
Josh Weinfuss
Analysis of every pick in the 2026 NFL draft
NFL Nation
1 Related
Beck joins a quarterback room that includes Jacoby Brissett, who started 12 games for Arizona last season; Gardner Minshew, who the Cardinals signed in March; and Kedon Slovis.
Brissett has not attended the Cardinals’ voluntary offseason program as he awaits a new contract.
Beck comes to Arizona with 37-6 record as a starter in college, plus three national championship games on his résumé. He started 43 of 55 games at the University of Georgia and the University of Miami. Beck finished his collegiate career with a 69.5 completion percentage and 88 touchdown passes against 32 interceptions.
Beck’s second-to-last game of his college career was in the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Fiesta Bowl, which was played at State Farm Stadium, the Cardinals’ home field.
