The Arizona Cardinals’ early-season quarterback situation is a bigger mystery after Monday’s developments.
Arizona released veteran Colt McCoy, a presumptive favorite to fill in for the injured Kyler Murray. The Cardinals will instead open the season with rookie Clayton Tune or the recently signed Joshua Dobbs under center.
Jonathan Gannon won’t reveal his choice just yet. The first-year head coach told reporters Monday that he’s “not gonna name a starter” to maintain a competitive advantage.
Cardinals’ HC Jonathan Gannon on the team’s QB situation: “I’m not gonna name a starter.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 28, 2023
Both options are on the table for their starting QB, with Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon saying he’ll decline to name a starter for competitive advantage. https://t.co/Ugo69Dwz1u
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 28, 2023
Neither option looks to give Arizona much of an advantage.
The Cardinals drafted Tune out of Houston with the No. 139 pick, typically not a spot reserved for a Week 1 starting quarterback. He completed nine of 12 passes for 85 yards in Arizona’s final preseason game.
Arizona acquired Dobbs from the Cleveland Browns on Thursday, so starting him out of the gate would be a rapid turnaround. The longtime reserve posted a 73.8 quarterback rating in his only two career NFL starts (both losses) late last season with the Tennessee Titans.
McCoy, a 12-year pro who spent the last two years in Arizona, seemed like the sensible option to hold the fort down while Murray recovers from an ACL tear suffered late last season. The Cardinals are keeping Murray on the physically unable to perform list before Tuesday’s roster deadline, meaning he’ll at least miss the first four games.
Arizona opens the season against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Sept. 10.