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The Arizona Cardinals are not making any adjustments to their quarterback depth chart for the upcoming week, according to head coach Mike LaFleur. Rookie third-round pick Carson Beck will remain in his current role, with no changes expected for the team's Week 6 matchup.
"Nothing new for this week, no," LaFleur told reporters on Wednesday when asked about Beck's status. The coach had previously addressed the topic on Monday, with further discussions taking place on Tuesday, but those talks ultimately led to no alterations.
As a result, Jacoby Brissett will continue to start under center, with Gardner Minshew serving as his backup. Beck, meanwhile, is likely to be inactive on game day, designated as the team's emergency quarterback. The Cardinals, who hold a 1-4 record, are set to travel to face the Los Angeles Rams (2-3) this week.
Despite the lack of a role change, LaFleur noted that Beck has been making strides behind the scenes. The rookie has been working closely with quarterbacks coach Matt Schaub during practice, drawing praise from the head coach.
"You guys don't get to see it. No, he's doing a good job. He's out there," LaFleur said. "Obviously, from a look squad standpoint, what you try to tell all these guys, let alone the quarterback is, 'Yes, you're getting the starting defense prepared, but you still got to play your game. Like, don't be forcing stuff just because you're trying to give those guys production. Continue to work on your timing. Continue to work on your accuracy and continue to work on your game.'"
LaFleur elaborated on the developmental approach: "And so you don't just throw them out there and look at a [play] card. It's like, okay, how can the card be somewhat of our offense, if not our offense? And then on the same side of it is you know Shauby [Matt Schaub] is with him every single play. So when we get done, and I'm kind of roaming, being with the defense a little bit, [Nathaniel] Hackett's talking to Jacoby and then Shauby's with Carson and Gardner making sure that we're just obviously coaching."
The Cardinals are expected to see Beck under center at some point in 2026, though recent reports suggest that won't come until later in the season. However, LaFleur did say the Miami product was improving.
"Yeah, I have. I've seen a lot of these guys improve. I particularly think over the last few weeks he's continued to get better, and he's enjoying his process of improving," said LaFleur. "Sometimes the best learning you can do is watching what's going on on Sundays. The smart ones can pick up on stuff, and he's certainly one of them. He's very smart."
Donnie Druin is the Publisher for Arizona Cardinals and Phoenix Suns On SI. Donnie moved to Arizona in 2012 and has been with the company since 2018. In college he won "Best Sports Column" in the state of Arizona for his section and has previously provided coverage for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona State Sun Devils. Follow Donnie on Twitter @DonnieDruin for more news, updates, analysis and more!