Carson Beck Named Cardinals' Starting QB for NFL Hall of Fame Game vs. Kenny Pickett, Panthers

Carson Beck will be making his NFL debut in the Arizona Cardinals' preseason opener.

Beck will start the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game against the Carolina Panthers this Thursday, coach Mike LaFleur said Tuesday.

The Cardinals and Panthers are set to kick off the Hall of Fame Game Thursday at 8 p.m. ET in Canton, Ohio.

Panthers head coach Dave Canales previously confirmed Kenny Pickett will be starting for Carolina.

Pickett is expected to play only "a few series" before undrafted rookie Haynes King takes over for the rest of the game, per Panthers.com's Darin Gantt and Kassidy Hill.

AZCardinals.com's Darren Urban reported it is "unlikely" starter Jacoby Brissett or backup Gardner Minshew II will play for the Cardinals.

The Cardinals also have 2025 practice squad member Kedon Slovis on the roster.

LaFleur told reporters last Friday he had already settled on a rotation for the Hall of Fame Game but would wait to confirm the order.

When asked Monday what he was looking from young quarterbacks like Beck in the preseason, LaFleur answered, "Clean operation and make the right play for the Cardinals in that time."

"We're not overly game planning," LaFleur said. "You go into this game with, you could say just plays that, no matter what they bring, are going to be protected both in the run game and the pass game."

LaFleur added he wanted Beck to operate the huddle without coaching directly behind him when he got a shot at playing.

"I have no question that he's going to do that. He's done a great job with the operation. He's super smart," LaFleur said Monday.

The Cardinals selected Beck out of Arizona in the third round of the 2026 draft. Whether he sees playing time during his first NFL campaign could depend on his preseason performance in addition to Brissett and Minshew's health this season.