GLENDALE — The Arizona Cardinals stand at the edge of a cliff. After the high-profile release of Kyler Murray earlier this month, the desert is hungry for a new face under center. But the front office cannot blink. Drafting Ty Simpson or Carson Beck in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft would be a massive blunder for a team that surrendered 29 points per game last season. Arizona needs hammers in the trenches, not another project in the pocket.
Panic is the enemy of a successful rebuild. While the national media screams for a shiny new quarterback, the Cardinals already have enough to survive 2026. Jacoby Brissett is the ultimate professional. He finished last year with a 64.2% completion rate and provided the steady hand this young locker room lacked. Behind him, Gardner Minshew remains the league’s most dangerous safety net, fresh off a season where he tossed 20 touchdowns.
You don’t draft a quarterback just because the calendar says it’s April. The 2027 class is already being called “The Year of the Franchise,” featuring generational talents like Arch Manning and Dante Moore. Moving on a mid-tier prospect now would only clog the salary cap and prevent Arizona from landing a true superstar next spring. The Cardinals shouldn’t settle for a spark when a forest fire is coming in twelve months.
Ty Simpson has the Alabama pedigree, but his tape tells a different story. He looks the part until the pocket collapses. In 2025, Simpson managed a 64.5% completion mark—respectable, but not elite. His 28 touchdowns and 5 interceptions look great on a spreadsheet, but he struggled whenever the Crimson Tide faced a top-ten defense. Arizona cannot afford to spend a premium pick on a “developmental” arm that requires three years of seasoning. This roster has holes that need immediate plug-and-play starters, not a spectator on the sidelines.
Then there is Carson Beck. The Miami transfer put up video game numbers in 2025, throwing for 3,813 yards and 30 touchdowns. On paper, he’s a star. On the field, he’s a liability under pressure. Beck’s 12 interceptions last season highlighted a recurring issue: he trusts his arm more than his eyes. Worse, the “durability” label continues to haunt him.
The Cardinals’ offensive line gave up 3.8 sacks per game last season. Putting a quarterback with an injury history and questionable decision-making behind that line is a recipe for a Top 5 pick in 2027—and not the good kind. Arizona must prioritize the big men up front. If you can’t block, it doesn’t matter if Patrick Mahomes is back there, let alone Carson Beck.
“We know what we have in this building. We aren’t looking for a savior; we’re looking for guys who want to hit people and win the line of scrimmage. The rest will take care of itself.”
— Mike LaFleur, Arizona Cardinals Head Coach
The path forward is clear. Arizona should use their high capital to fix a defense that gave up 4.4 yards per carry. They need an edge rusher who strikes fear into opposing coordinators and a tackle who can actually protect a quarterback’s blindside. By passing on Simpson and Beck, the Cardinals can solidify their roster, let Brissett and Minshew battle it out, and position themselves to move heaven and earth for Arch Manning in 2027. That is how you build a dynasty. Anything else is just a temporary fix.
