Heading into the 2026 season, the Arizona Cardinals carry low expectations, with several projections placing them dead last in the NFC West.
First-year head coach Mike LaFleur takes over a roster in transition, while Arizona must navigate one of the NFL’s toughest schedules. They also enter the season with questions at quarterback. Veteran Jacoby Brissett brings experience, while promising rookie Carson Beck offers a glimpse of the future.
Still, Dallas Cowboys legend Michael Irvin has a warning for Arizona.
Michael Irvin Likes What He Sees From Carson Beck, But Warns Cardinals
During an appearance on “The White House Podcast,” Irvin explained why he sees something different in Beck and likes where his development could lead.
“I like Carson Beck as a pro,” he said. “I loved him for us at the University of Miami. I like him better as a pro than a college player. That first preseason game, he looked great. And I said to people, I knew he would be a better pro than he even was in college.”
Irvin believes Beck possesses a skill that can help him adjust quickly at the next level. He highlighted the quarterback’s ability to process defenses before the snap and understand where the ball needs to go. In college, that skill can help a quarterback identify a playmaker and get him involved.
In 16 games last season, he threw for 3,813 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions while leading the Miami Hurricanes to the national championship game.
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He also completed 72.4% of his passes, averaged 8.2 yards per pass play, and posted 238.2 passing yards per game.
Before Miami, Beck starred at Georgia under head coach Kirby Smart before transferring for his final college season. According to PFN’s CFB QB Impact Metric, he recorded an 83.3 impact score in 2025, ranking 36th nationally.
Now, Irvin expects Beck’s decision-making to translate well once he gets more NFL experience. He believes the young quarterback can build a strong future in Arizona, even if the team struggles overall.
“His ability to discern offense and get the ball in the right hands is going to transition and translate better in the NFL than it did in college,” he said. “You saw that in that first preseason game with the way he played that game for his first NFL game. But they’re still going to be last in the division.”
Beck has made a strong early impression in preseason. Against the Carolina Panthers last Thursday night, Beck showed why the Cardinals may have a real quarterback battle.
He completed 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown. In the first half alone, Beck completed 78.6% of his throws for 148 yards and a touchdown.
His performance could force Arizona to rethink their quarterback plan when all is said and done.
