NFL Hall of Fame game surprised in the most unexpected way

Every year, there is a moment when my attention inevitably starts shifting toward the pigskin. That moment came last Thursday with the annual NFL Hall of Fame Game.

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While most of the players who took the field probably won’t be playing significant roles once the regular season arrives, two quarterbacks caught my attention and surprised in an unexpected way: Carson Beck and Haynes King.

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Opportunity Can Change Everything

Aug 6, 2026; Canton, Ohio, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Beck (19) warms up before playing the the Carolina Panthers at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Football is often about being in the right place at the right time. I always like to point to Tom Brady as the ultimate example.

Brady was a fourth-string rookie who might not have survived in New England if Bill Belichick hadn’t decided to keep him around. Then, after Drew Bledsoe suffered a brutal injury on a hit from Mo Lewis, Brady suddenly had his opportunity.

The rest, as they say, is history.

That’s why I don’t understand why teams are sometimes so hesitant to take chances on young quarterbacks. Realistically, only about half the NFL enters a season with a legitimate chance of winning the Lombardi Trophy, and quarterback play is often the biggest reason teams fail.

The Cardinals and Panthers both have questions at the position, and perhaps they should be willing to think outside the box.

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Beck and King Opened Some Eyes

Aug 6, 2026; Canton, Ohio, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Haynes King (16) and linebacker Nick Hampton (39) celebrate after defeating the Arizona Cardinals at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Beck was outstanding against Carolina, completing 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown.

King was equally impressive, completing 21 of 34 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns while adding 39 rushing yards, including a scrambling touchdown that ended the game.

These aren’t meaningless performances simply because they came in the Hall of Fame Game.

Beck played his college career at Georgia and Miami, leading the Hurricanes to the championship game last season. King was the ACC Player of the Year last season.

The Panthers aren’t realistically going to replace Bryce Young with King coming out of camp, but the leash should be short if Young struggles.

For the Cardinals, however, I think the decision should be much more aggressive.

Jacoby Brissett is the likely starter over Gardner Minshew, but neither veteran is realistically taking Arizona to the promised land—especially in the NFC West.

The Cardinals have made the playoffs just once in the last decade, and that was their only season finishing above .500.

So why not take a chance?

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Play Carson Beck.

He has nothing to lose and everything to gain. The Hall of Fame Game was only one night, but I saw enough. Beck should leave training camp as Arizona’s QB1 and start on opening day in Las Vegas against the Raiders.

Sometimes, you just have to give the kid an opportunity.

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