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Jun 25, 2026

Why the Cardinals' QB Competition Matters More Than Anyone Thinks

Story byArizona Cardinals On SIArizona Cardinals On SI
Arizona Cardinals QB Carson Bec
Cardinals quarterback Carson Beck (19) throws passes during organized team activities at the Cardinals Training Facility in Tempe on May 27, 2026. | Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Donnie DruinWed, June 24, 2026 at 8:35 PM UTC·3 min read

ARIZONA - The Arizona Cardinals' quarterback competition is wide open entering the dog days of summer.

Of course, that could all be fixed if/when the Cardinals and projected starter Jacoby Brissett strike a deal after the veteran's holdout extended all the way through minicamp. Brissett, upon arrival, is likely to be Arizona's starter when July 22's reporting date for training camp rolls around.

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That job won't quite be handed over to Brissett on a silver platter with Gardner Minshew and Carson Beck in store, though Brissett seemingly will have a 60 meter head start in the 100 meter dash for the job.

Still, the Cardinals find themselves in a position where Brissett isn't likely to start all 17 games if projections of a poor season are even in the ballpark of reality - and that's what makes the backup competition even more important.

Why Cardinals QB2 Battle Matters

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Bec
May 8, 2026; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Beck (19) spins a football on his finger during rookie minicamp at Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

While Brissett's assumed to be Arizona's guy to start the 2026 regular season, it would be a (perhaps pleasant) surprise to see him start all 17 games.

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The Cardinals haven't had a quarterback start every regular season game since Kyler Murray did so back in 2020. For an organization that hasn't been to the postseason since 2021 and their last division title coming in 2015, consistency has been rare at the quarterback position.

That's not likely to change in 2026, where Arizona enters the season with first-time head coach Mike LaFleur and the league's toughest schedule. With no established franchise quarterback in place, that's a recipe for mediocrity.

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