Cardinals deemed potential Shedeur Sanders trade partner for Browns because of Carson Beck

The Arizona Cardinals selected former Miami Hurricanes and Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck in the third round of the 2026 NFL draft, but that may not stop the franchise from making more moves at the position.

FanSided’s Wynston Wilcox believes the Cardinals could pursue Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders to add to a QB room that may not return Jacoby Brissett, depending on the resolution of his contract holdout.

Either way, Wilcox explains, Arizona will likely be going for one of the top 2027 NFL draft QB prospects, not going in on Beck, Sanders, or whichever option the Cardinals decide to start under center this fall.

“Sanders could be a dark-horse option if he becomes available. Arizona could be content with Beck and maybe another veteran if they move Jacoby Brissett, but there’s no harm in adding Sanders into the mix,” Wilcox wrote. “After all, this won’t mean anything for 2027. The Cardinals are probably focused on landing their future franchise star next year in a loaded draft class.”

Cardinals pass on Ty Simpson as NFC West rival gets ripped for reach at No. 13

With Indiana Hoosiers Heisman winner and title-winning QB Fernando Mendoza off the board to the Las Vegas Raiders with the No. 1 overall pick, and the New York Jets opting for EDGE David Bailey at No. 2, Arizona had its pick of any non-Mendoza QB on the board this year. Clearly, no option intrigued Monti Ossenfort enough to budge from going with Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love.

That pick was somewhat controversial because of the guaranteed money tied to Love’s contract, but it would’ve been more controversial had the Cardinals taken Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson.

Simpson went No. 13 to the LA Rams in a move head coach Sean McVay didn’t even seem to approve of or saw coming. Arizona dodged a major bullet, but didn’t exactly address the QB position with Beck.

Does Shedeur address it? Probably not. But the “Grown QB” in the desert would certainly give the Cardinals more attention than they got during the entire Kyler Murray era.