The Hall of Fame Game got off to a hot start, with the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals each putting together nice scoring drives in the first half. The Cardinals started rookie Carson Beck, and he led a brilliant scoring drive pinned deep in his own territory. After the drive, the NFL world began to call for the Cardinals to consider Beck as the Week 1 starter.
Calls Mount for Carson Beck to Become Cardinals’ Starting QB
Beck has looked outstanding in the early parts of the opening preseason game. His play is giving the Cardinals some potential headaches on whether Beck deserves to be the starter ahead of the projected starting QB, Jacoby Brissett, who just got a big pay raise a few weeks ago.
But that’s not stopping the noise surrounding Beck’s case to win the job.
“Jacoby Brissett watching Carson Beck in the HOF game,” said Underdog Fantasy on X while posting a video to mock the veteran quarterback.
Jacoby Brissett watching Carson Beck in the HOF game pic.twitter.com/2mJxv58r7v
— Underdog (@Underdog) August 7, 2026
Even Sleeper joined in on the fun of trolling the Cardinals’ QB competition by indicating that Brissett is sweating after seeing Beck’s performance.
Jacoby Brissett: pic.twitter.com/g8XXIju7h4
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) August 7, 2026
The Cardinals just made a big commitment to Brissett with a one-year, $15.5 million guaranteed contract, but if Beck gives them a better chance to win, it would be hard to keep him off the field.
BE THE GM OF YOUR FAVORITE TEAM: PFN’s FREE NFL Mock Draft Simulator
The rookie’s strong play has made it tough for members of the NFL world to view this performance as a potential sign of how long Brissett may be allowed to hold a firm grip on the job.
“Jacoby Brissett after forcing the Cardinals to give him a raise just to be benched by week 8,” said Matt King, an NFL content creator, while sharing a video.
Jacoby Brissett after forcing the Cardinals to give him a raise just to be benched by week 8 pic.twitter.com/r4FArQvKDO
— Matt King (@yapmatt) August 7, 2026
“Jacoby Brissett will not be the Cardinals’ starting QB…at least not for long,” added another social media personality.
PFN’s account on X wrote, “Carson Beck is putting on a masterclass in his NFL preseason debut. 🎯 Will the rookie overtake the Cardinals’ QB1 job by the end of the season?”
The account shared a graphic showing the Cardinals QB’s performance against the Panthers, in which he completed 78.6% of his throws for 148 yards and a touchdown in the first half.
Carson Beck is putting on a masterclass in his NFL preseason debut. 🎯
Will the rookie overtake the Cardinals’ QB1 job by the end of the season? 👀 pic.twitter.com/DUQEJBPPro
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) August 7, 2026
Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III reacted to Beck’s performance, saying, “Carson Beck looking like QB1 for the Arizona Cardinals.”
PREDICT THE NFL SEASON: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
Former NFL player Breiden Fehoko chimed in on the QB debate in Arizona, with Beck inching closer to getting a real shot.
“Jacoby Brissett, your leash just got a little shorter,” said Fehoko.
Jacoby Brissett your leash just got a little shorter.
— Breiden Fehoko (@BreidenFehoko) August 7, 2026
While some believe that Brissett might have a short leash, others believe that Brissett doesn’t deserve this leash at all, despite the monetary commitment.
“Starting Brissett over Beck would be a total waste of time,” said one social media personality.
NFL analyst Chad Forbes has seen enough and is ready to crown Beck the starter before halftime of the Hall of Fame Game.
“I’ve seen enough. Cardinals should name Carson Beck starting QB tonight. Paying Jacoby Brissett never made any logical sense. Roll with Beck,” said Forbes.
I’ve seen enough. Cardinals should name Carson Beck starting QB tonight.
Paying Jacoby Brissett never made any logical sense. Roll with Beck.
— Chad Forbes (@NFLDraftBites) August 7, 2026
The Cardinals may not have invested eight figures on Beck, but using a third-round pick isn’t cheap, either. Beck is meant to be a building block for the future, but the future might be now.
It remains to be seen whether Brissett’s days as the starter are actually numbered or whether Beck’s performance against mostly the Panthers’ backups isn’t enough to carry weight to sway opinions in Arizona.
