Is it Carson Beck time in Arizona? When Cardinals need to replace Jacoby Brissett with the rookie QB

The Arizona Cardinals hold a 1-4 record through five games of the 2026 season following a 45-21 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday. The defeat has directed focus toward the team's quarterback rotation, where Jacoby Brissett currently serves as the starter.

Across the past two seasons, the Cardinals have compiled a 2-15 record with Brissett at quarterback while registering a minus-194 point differential. Despite that record, Brissett has taken all 351 offensive snaps for Arizona this year.

Evaluating the offense, Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur highlighted the inconsistency in performance during an appearance on Arizona Sports. “When it’s going good, it’s going good, and then it’s a three-and-out machine,” LaFleur said.

He expanded on the situation by stating, “There’s really nowhere in between right now for us. We got to figure out how to do all the good stuff better.”

Rookie quarterback Carson Beck has been inactive on game days, leaving Gardner Minshew in the primary reserve role. “You can only have so many people up [on game day]. . . . It’s hard to put three quarterbacks up,” LaFleur said on Arizona Sports, adding, “Right now, Gardner is our backup.”

During his media availability, LaFleur stated that the Cardinals will hold conversations on Tuesday regarding whether to make Beck, a third-round draft pick, active for the upcoming matchup against the Rams. Addressing the potential change, LaFleur said, via Darren Urban of the team website, “If we think that’s what is best, [then that’s what we’ll do].”

This report also draws on coverage from Pro Football Talk, Yahoo Sports.

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