After many long months, the NFL finally returned on Thursday in the annual Hall of Fame game.
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But the menu wasn’t the greatest, as both the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers withheld key players in the Canton, Ohio, clash.
That meant former first-rounder Kenny Pickett would line up for Bryce Young while the Cardinals went with their rookie over Jacoby Brissett.
Carson Beck, a third-round pick out of Miami by Arizona, entered the league from a quarterback class that left a lot to be desired. Turning 25 in November, Beck needed a strong start vs. a mix of starters and backups to get his confidence going if he is to leap Brissett on the depth chart at any point this season.
Beck lasted three quarters, coming out in the third on the drive that resulted in a field goal to give Arizona a 20-17 lead.
Beck completed 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards, one touchdown and no picks, taking just one sack that lost two yards. His throws were confident and he exhibited better qualities than Pickett, who underwhelmed before undrafted rookie Haynes King entered for Carolina.
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A Jacksonville, Fla., native, Beck’s best throw on the night was a 49-yard bomb to 2023 seventh-rounder Jalen Brooks. Brooks absorbed a major hit to hang on inside Panthers territory.
His lone touchdown throw came off a nice back-shoulder completion to 2021 fifth-rounder Simi Fehoko in the same second-quarter drive.
Beck would then be replaced in the third quarter by second-year quarterback Kedon Slovis. Carolina went on to win 33-30 with a touchdown on the final play.
Here’s a look at every completion from Beck’s unofficial debut:
If Beck continues to shine in preseason, Arizona could give him a shot later in the regular season if the playoffs are out of reach.
Brissett, 33, is not going to be enough to overcome an NFC West division that includes three playoff contenders in the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers.
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It’ll be up to Beck to show he has what it takes at the toughest level.