The long offseason finally ended Thursday night as the NFL returned with the annual Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio. The exhibition matchup between the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers, however, lacked star power. Both teams decided to hold out their top quarterbacks, leaving the spotlight on backup and rookie signal-callers. For the Panthers, former first-round pick Kenny Pickett took the reins in place of Bryce Young. Across the field, the Cardinals opted to start their third-round rookie Carson Beck over Jacoby Brissett, giving the young passer a chance to build confidence from the opening snap.

Beck, who turned 25 in November, was drafted out of Miami in a quarterback class that drew mixed reviews. Facing a mix of Carolina starters and second-stringers, he needed a strong showing to prove he can climb the depth chart. The rookie delivered. He played into the third quarter, exiting after a drive that ended with a field goal, giving Arizona a 20-17 lead. His stat line was sharp: 15 completions on 19 attempts for 188 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. He took only one sack, losing two yards.

Beck’s confidence was evident in his throws. The night’s most memorable moment came on a 49-yard bomb to Jalen Brooks, a 2023 seventh-round pick. Brooks made a spectacular catch, absorbing a heavy hit while holding on inside Panthers territory. The play drew immediate buzz on social media, with the NFL’s official account sharing the clip. Later in the same second-quarter drive, Beck delivered a perfect back-shoulder pass to Simi Fehoko, a 2021 fifth-rounder, for the touchdown. That connection capped a crisp series that showcased Beck’s touch and accuracy.

While Beck impressed, the Panthers’ Pickett struggled to find rhythm. He failed to generate consistent offense, and Carolina turned to undrafted rookie Haynes King in the second half. King provided a spark, but it was not enough to prevent a see-saw battle. Beck was replaced by second-year quarterback Kedon Slovis in the third quarter, and the Cardinals’ defense could not hold the lead. Carolina scored a touchdown on the final play of the game to win 33-30.

For the Cardinals, Beck’s performance offers a reason for optimism. The team faces a daunting NFC West, where the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, and San Francisco 49ers all harbor playoff ambitions. Jacoby Brissett, at 33, may not be the answer to lift Arizona above those contenders. If Beck maintains this level of play throughout the preseason, the Cardinals could give him an opportunity later in the regular season, especially if any playoff hopes fade.

The game also marked the unofficial start of the NFL calendar. The regular season will open with a Super Bowl rematch between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots. But for now, the focus is on evaluating young talent, and Carson Beck made a strong first impression.