RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 2 sourcesCANTON, OH – Carson Beck didn’t end up throwing the last pass of the 2025 college football season and the first attempt of the 2026 NFL season at the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday.
What he did, however, was far more important than realizing what would have been a fun yet bizarre statistical anomaly. The Carolina Panthers ultimately defeated the Cardinals 33-30 (with another rookie quarterback, Haynes King, scoring the game-winning touchdown as time expired), but Beck’s debut was the most consequential development of the first NFL action since the Super Bowl.
The counting stats indicated Beck comported himself well in his professional debut. They were not deceitful. He finished the first half 11 of 14 passing for 149 yards and a touchdown. He finished 15-for-19 with 188 yards through the air.
The highlight reel play of the day was a 49-yard completion held onto by wide receiver Jalen Brooks, who received a brutal (but legal) hit on the other end of the play but held onto the ball. Earlier in the game, he and Brooks connected for a 35-yard gain on a third-down hitch-and-go, with Beck's pump-fake deking out the secondary. He displayed good feel with his touchdown pass, a five-yard lofted ball in the second quarter to Simi Fehoko, which was something that's been a practice emphasis of late, Beck said.
By the time Beck gave way to Kedon Slovis midway through the third quarter, the former Georgia and Miami (Fla.) signal-caller demonstrated the traits that enticed first-year Arizona head coach Mike LaFleur to spend the first pick of the third round (65th overall) on him.
There was a time in his college career Beck was considered a top-10 pick, if not in the running for the No. 1 overall pick once he decided to declare. But his second season as a starter at Georgia was a regression from what he put on tape in 2023, and he transferred to the Hurricanes for 2025. Miami went all the way to the College Football Playoff national title game, and although the 'Canes lost to the Indiana Hoosiers, Beck's play was a net positive throughout the postseason run.
With experience in that type of environment, this was just another game for Beck, even if it was his first time donning a NFL jersey.
“He’s been in so many big moments," LaFleur said. "This was a really cool environment. I’m glad we got to play in this.”
Mike LaFluer's evaluation of Carson Beck
More than any throws, what LaFleur wanted to see was a clean operation. The three false starts didn't sit well with him, but he was pleased with Beck's command of his teammates.
“He doesn’t make it too big," LaFleur said. "He just lives by the play. … If we’re in a bad play, a bad call, don’t make it worse.”
LaFleur kicked himself for calling a keeper with a strong safety coming off the edge ready to make a play. But Beck noticed and got his team out of it with minimal damage.
“Good, but not surprised," LaFleur said. "It’s the same guy, I felt like, you saw watching the (college) tape.”
The staff on the other sideline noticed Beck’s poise.
"He operated like a professional,” Panthers head coach Dave Canales said. “He looked fantastic. He was accurate. He was on time. Our rush was decent. He got the ball out, threw some really beautiful passes down the field, up the sideline on some double moves, over the middle, to keep the drive alive in some third-down situations so tip my hat to him."
Making the most of Jacoby Brissett's absense
With Arizona, Beck had the benefit of reps with the first-team through most of the offseason to this point, with starter Jacoby Brissett holding out for a better contract . Brissett ultimately reached a deal with Arizona in July. He still needs to get up to date on the terminology of the offense, but already, LaFleur said, the two are quite comfortable together.
Still, the time on task has been taken advantage of by Beck, who has high expectations for himself.
"I thought the whole time, our offense was moving well," Beck said.
Sure, it was the first game of the season and no presumptive starter on offense or defense for either team saw the field. Nonetheless, Beck processed quickly, set his feet and moved the ball. Sometimes that’s too much to ask for a young quarterback with no NFL experience. That wasn’t the case for Beck.
The film will dictate which minute details the Cardinals must clean up.
"It feels great to succeed and execute within the offense," Beck added.
The caliber of player on the field made the game feel "a tick" faster than the college pace, Beck said. The schemes, the studying and the preparation make it all speed up even more. His prep is done to slow it all down, Beck explained.
Beck's usage plan was strict, according to LaFleur. He'd be used for the for the first half and the first drive of the second half. LaFleur wanted Beck to experience the rapid changeover of a NFL halftime – at least compared to the band-filled festivities of a college halftime.
In bed Wednesday night, the butterflies of playing in the NFL for the first time kept Beck awake.
"Just having the opportunity to play football, never taking it for granted again ... I don't know, having gratitude for the game," he said.
Beck was alluding to his UCL injury from December 2024, which required a surgery similar to a baseball pitcher's elbow reconstruction.
"My arm looked like a green bean," Beck said of his recovery. "Better yet, I couldn't grip anything (or) throw a football."
The Miami training staff helped him through it, both mentally and physically, Beck said.
Before the game, players from both teams lined up facing each other near midfield as the incoming Hall of Fame class (Luke Kuechly, Roger Craig, Larry Fitzgerald, Adam Vinatieri and Drew Brees). That was a cool experience for Beck.
"You dream of being in that position ... that's always a ...
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