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The Hall of Fame Game doesn't usually feature big names, but Thursday's contest between the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers marked the NFL debut of a former college star.
Carson Beck, who started three collegiate seasons at Georgia and Miami, got the start for the Cardinals in the season's first preseason game. The third-round pick got the nod over two veterans, hoping to prove he deserves playing time.
Beck then went on to put up some impressive tape and lead Arizona to 17 points in the first half. With the Cardinals not particularly flush with quarterback talent, Beck could find himself on the field sooner rather than later.
Here's a breakdown of how Beck could climb the Cardinals' depth chart.
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Cardinals QB Depth Chart
| Rank | Player |
| 1. | Jacoby Brissett |
| 2. | Gardner Minshew |
| 3. | Carson Beck |
| 4. | Kedon Slovis |
Beck should enter the season as the third-string quarterback behind Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew, but he could have the chance to earn some playing time anyway. The Cardinals are not expected to be that good, so the team could turn to Beck later in the season if the year is out of hand.
For now, Beck will likely be a healthy scratch on game days while fighting to earn time as the primary backup. Both Brissett and Minshew are well-travelled veterans, but neither is entrenched as the team's starter beyond this year.
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Carson Beck stats vs. Panthers
- Completions/Attempts: 11/14
- Passing yards: 148
- Touchdowns: 1
- Interceptions: 0
- Rushing yards: 3
Beck has a strong performance in the Hall of Fame game, producing 148 passing yards in a half of action. He had two highlight plays, both of which were deep completions to wide receiver Jalen Brooks.
What a throw by Carson Beck!@ProFootballHOF Game on NBC
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Carson Beck to Jalen Brooks. WOW.@ProFootballHOF Game on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/VjnMEP2mIQ
Beck then threw for his first NFL touchdown to wide receiver Simi Fehoko in the second quarter.
.@carsonbeck01 drops it in a bucket 🪣@ProFootballHOF Game on NBC
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Carson Beck college stats
| Year | Team | Games | Completions/Attempts | Completion percentage | Passing yards | Touchdowns | Interceptions |
| 2020 | Georgia | 1 | 0/0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | Georgia | 4 | 10/23 | 43.5% | 176 | 2 | 2 |
| 2022 | Georgia | 7 | 26/35 | 74.3% | 310 | 4 | 0 |
| 2023 | Georgia | 14 | 302/417 | 72.4% | 3,941 | 24 | 6 |
| 2024 | Georgia | 12 | 290/448 | 64.7% | 3,485 | 28 | 12 |
| 2025 | Miami (FL) | 16 | 338/467 | 72.4% | 3,813 | 30 | 12 |
Beck spent six seasons in college, five of which were with Georgia and one with Miami. He was the Bulldogs' primary backup in both 2021 and 2022, when Georgia won back-to-back national titles, then took over as the starter in 2023 for two seasons. Beck transferred to Miami in 2025, making it three straight years as a starter.
Over his span as a starter from 2023 to 2025, Beck played in 42 games and totaled 82 touchdowns and more than 900 completions.
Carson Beck age
Beck is 24 years-old and will turn 25 in November, making him one of the older rookies in the NFL this year. Still, he is the youngest quarterback on the Cardinals' depth chart as both Brissett and Minshew are at least 30 years-old, while Slovis is 25.
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