Carson Beck delivered a stellar performance in his NFL debut Thursday in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton. Dropping dimes across the field, the third-round rookie led his team on a 13-play, 96-yard touchdown drive on his second series and maintained that momentum throughout his game.
Beck finished the game completing 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown. He also took one sack for two yards but did not turn over the ball in an extremely uplifting performance.
Yet, some were not impressed because his effort came against backups.
Chase Daniel Defends Cardinals QB Carson Beck’s Strong Debut
Despite Beck’s big day, the Cardinals lost 33-30 on a last-second touchdown scramble by undrafted rookie free agent Haynes King.
Beck’s excellent effort shouldn’t be dismissed just because it came against second-stringers, but social media can be ruthless. Former Chicago Bears quarterback turned analyst Chase Daniel stepped up to defend the Cardinals rookie’s impressive debut.
“Carson Beck is absolutely balling right now in the Hall of Fame Game,” Daniel said via his X post on Thursday night.
“The one thing I hate the absolute most is when people are like, ‘Oh, he’s doing it against backups; good luck. Can you do it against backups?’ I absolutely hate that. The dude is balling. Throwing for a touchdown in his first start ever. He’s gonna be the guy way sooner than people think.”
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Disturbed by the online backlash, Daniel pushed back against critics downplaying Beck’s debut. As a man with a Super Bowl ring, he knows all too well that just reaching the NFL is hard enough, but here’s Beck, thriving in his first-ever NFL start, even if it came during exhibition play.
“Stop with the ‘it’s only against backups’ takes.’ You know what I care about? Processing, ball placement, anticipation, footwork, & poise. Carson Beck is checking a lot of those boxes tonight,” he added.
Stop with the “it’s only against backups” takes.”
You know what I care about? Processing, ball placement, anticipation, footwork, & poise. Carson Beck is checking a lot of those boxes tonight. https://t.co/YsnOc2XMay pic.twitter.com/E2HklVDxT2
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) August 7, 2026
While it may be one thing to compete against backups, the competition will definitely get stiffer. Beck surely understands that too.
Yet, all he can do is keep acing the tests placed in front of him.
For Beck, building on this performance will be a real test. But if he keeps putting up drives like he did Thursday night, it won’t be long before he forces his way into the conversation for meaningful first-team reps alongside Jacoby Brissett.
