The Arizona Cardinals have named rookie Carson Beck as their starting quarterback for their Week 10 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, CBS Sports reported. The decision places the 3-6 Cardinals’ offense in the hands of the young passer as they prepare to face their 5-4 divisional rivals.
A Rare Start and a Tough Defensive Challenge
Beck’s selection makes him the third rookie quarterback drafted outside of the first two rounds to start a game in the 2026 season, joining undrafted rookies Jalon Daniels of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Joe Fagnano of the Baltimore Ravens. The NFL has not seen three late-round or undrafted rookie quarterbacks make starts in the same season since 1987.
The rookie faces a steep test in his first professional appearance. Beck will become just the fifth quarterback in NFL history to make his career debut against a defensive pair featuring two pass rushers with at least 100 career sacks each, as he goes up against Rams defenders Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett.
Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur took a lighter tone when discussing the formidable opposing pass rush. “Who do they got?” LaFleur said jokingly. “I got no expectations for him except to go out and play his game one play at a time. Go let it rip, go have some fun. Have some fun with your guys.”
Preseason Form and Offensive Support
LaFleur expressed confidence in Beck’s preparation despite the tough circumstances. “You never really know until you get to the live bullets on Sunday, but just the way he goes about his business, whether it’s been from OTAs through training camp before he got hurt, seeing him operate in that first half,” coach Mike LaFleur said. “Plus, the one possession there in the second half, so obviously we’ll know more come next Sunday, but we have all the confidence he’s ready to roll.” During the preseason Hall of Fame Game against the Carolina Panthers, Beck completed 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown.
Beck takes over a roster that has suffered severe injuries at wide receiver. Michael Wilson is out for the season with a neck injury and Kendrick Bourne is sidelined with a tibia injury, while Marvin Harrison Jr. was traded to the Houston Texans. Arizona’s expected starting receiver group now features fifth-round rookie Reggie Virgil, undrafted veteran Simi Fehoko, and Pro Bowl returner Devin Duvernay.
Despite the receiver depth issues, Beck will have a key target in tight end Trey McBride. The 2025 first-team All-Pro leads the NFL with 73 receptions through Week 9 and carries an 11-game streak of recording at least seven catches into Sunday’s game, building on Beck’s prior experience targeting elite tight ends during his college tenure alongside Brock Bowers at Georgia.
