John Breech· Aug 7, 2026
An unsigned CBS Sports column argues the Cardinals should name rookie third-rounder Carson Beck their starting quarterback for 2026 over Jacoby Brissett, and notes Arizona has a real chance of finishing with the league's worst record and thus the No. 1 pick in the 2027 draft.
“The Arizona Cardinals should give their starting quarterback job to Carson Beck for the 2026 season.”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
2 checkable claims — 1 depth chart call and 1 team draft slot call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 2 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 2 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room on every one.
Where this call stands in the room
Carson Beck · 2026 season10 calls from 10 pundits between 1 and 3. John Breech said 1. the room's median is 1. not settled yet
Every dot is a call somebody published on the same question. Where the dots land says where this take sits, not whether it is right — nothing here is settled yet. Hover a dot for the name and number; click it to read that take.
Their call against the room
Their call against everyone else's, while this is still unsettled.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
2 checkable claims in this take
Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing.
Carson Beck to be 1st on the depth chart
“The Arizona Cardinals should give their starting quarterback job to Carson Beck for the 2026 season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Team Draft Slot CallsArizona CardinalsAug 7, 2026
Arizona Cardinals to pick at number 1
“The Cardinals are in the toughest division in football, so there's a real chance that they end up with the worst record in the NFL. If that happens, they'll have the top pick in the 2027 NFL Draft”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Henry McKennaDepth Chart Calls · Carson BeckMiss · 0McKenna predicts Kyler Murray will win the Vikings' starting QB job over J.J. McCarthy, that Minnesota will make the playoffs if Murray cuts out the hero ball, that both QBs will play in 2026, and wonders whether rookie Carson Beck could unseat Jacoby Brissett as Arizona's Week 1 starter.
- Nathan JahnkeRoster Spot Calls · Reggie VirgilHit · 100PFF's preseason usage recap makes a number of depth-chart and roster projections, including nine rookie receivers slotting as top-three options on their teams, sleeper tight end usage, and specific depth-chart placements for Cardinals, Falcons and Ravens players.
- Nathan JahnkeRoster Spot Calls · Reggie VirgilHit · 100An unsigned PFF preseason recap makes numerous depth-chart, roster and usage projections across the league, based on Week 3 preseason playing time — including Roman Wilson winning Pittsburgh's third receiver job, Luke McCaffrey's roster spot being in danger, Charlie Kolar as the Chargers' top tight end, and Kendre Miller as the Saints' RB2.
- Nathan JahnkeRoster Spot Calls · Reggie VirgilHit · 100PFF's preseason fantasy recap makes a series of depth-chart, roster and usage projections based on final-week preseason snap counts, including Ja'Kobi Lane locking down the Ravens' third receiver role, Luke McCaffrey's roster spot being in danger, Kyle Pitts facing reduced 12-personnel usage, Kendre Miller as the Saints' RB2 and Emmett Johnson as the Chiefs' backup running back.
- Donnie DruinRoster Spot Calls · Eku LeotaHit · 100Previewing the Cardinals' final 2026 preseason game, Druin identifies roster bubble players: he favors Jalen Brooks over Ihmir Smith-Marsette for a sixth receiver spot, expects Oli Udoh to miss out, projects BJ Ojulari to be cut with Eku Leota making the team instead, and names Elijah Jones as the likely cornerback casualty.
- Donnie DruinRoster Spot Calls · Bam KnightHit · 100Druin says Bam Knight has effectively locked up the final running back spot on the Cardinals' roster, which contributed to Trey Benson being waived/injured.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Tyler SullivanDepth Chart Calls · Drew LockMiss · 0In an unsigned Week 2 odds roundup, the piece states that with Sam Darnold hurt, Drew Lock will likely start at quarterback for Seattle against Arizona.
- Ralph VacchianoDepth Chart Calls · Tua TagovailoaMiss · 0Vacchiano ranks all 32 NFL teams entering the 2026 season, with the Rams first and Dolphins last. He also flags the Giants as a potential surprise team with a top-10 defense, and notes Deshaun Watson won Cleveland's QB job while Tua Tagovailoa starts Week 1 in Atlanta.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Kyler MurrayHit · 100Fitzmaurice touts Kyler Murray as a value QB who will start Week 1 for Minnesota, Tyler Shough as the Saints' undisputed starter, and Juwan Johnson and Terrance Ferguson as late-round tight end targets.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Kyler MurrayHit · 100Fitzmaurice expects Kyler Murray to be Minnesota's Week 1 starter and calls him one of the better quarterback values in 2026 drafts; he also views Jordan Love as a top-10 real-life quarterback but only a QB2 in fantasy.
- Steven RuizDepth Chart Calls · Michael Penix Jr.Miss · 0In a retrospective tiering of all 32 starting quarterbacks, Ruiz treats Michael Penix Jr. as the Falcons' Week 1 starter over Kirk Cousins, whom he places in his lowest tier.
- Mike FlorioDepth Chart Calls · Shedeur SandersMiss · 0Florio reports the Browns will start Deshaun Watson in Week 1 but predicts Shedeur Sanders will likely be the starting quarterback by Week 3.