Georgia's Kirby Smart hints at 2024 plan for QB Carson Beck

Quarterback Carson Beck will get to steer the ship for the Georgia Bulldogs in 2024. 

In a recent exclusive interview with ESPN's Chris Low, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart admitted that he plans to play far less conservatively with Beck back under center this upcoming season. 

"Early in the year last season, we probably did try to protect him too much," Smart said. "But then you see nothing ever really affects him and know you've just got to let the cat go play because we were either going to make it or not make it on his back. 

"As the year went on, he got better and better, but we were probably a little too slow with him out of the gate."

Beck was named Georgia's starter in August of 2023 and he shocked many as he led the Bulldogs to their third-straight 12-0 season. The then-junior Bulldog threw for 3,941 yards and 24 touchdowns while setting a school record for completion percentage (72%) along the way.

With just one year as a starter under his belt, Beck now enters this offseason as the best-returning quarterback in the nation, according to CBS Sports' Tom Fornelli.

Sure, things will look a lot different for Beck without his talented group of offensive weapons in Brock Bowers, Kendall Milton, Daijun Edwards, Ladd McConkey and Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint. 

However, the sky is the limit for Beck and the Bulldogs as they plan to give him more freedom next fall. 

It also helps that Beck has the support from his teammates and a slight chip on his shoulder. 

"He's 'Mr. Mellow' out there," Smart said. "The guys in the locker room love him because he's confident, calm and very smart. Even though he's got a little bit of arrogance to him, he's not holier than thou like you see with some quarterbacks."

We'll get a first glimpse of Beck and Georgia's new-look offense at their annual "G-Day" spring game on April 13.