Cardinals HC Jonathan Gannon benching Josh Dobbs for rookie Clayton Tune or Kyler Murray
Jonathan Gannon has changed his mind. One day after declaring Josh Dobbs the starting quarterback moving forward, the Arizona Cardinals (1-7) head coach said Monday that either Clayton Tune or Kyler Murray will start in the Week 9 road tilt against the Cleveland Browns (4-3).
Gannon said that Murray will start if he’s available, and Tune will serve as the backup. If Murray can’t go, Tune will get his first-career start in the NFL.
“Talked to all the quarterbacks this morning,” Gannon said. “We’re gonna keep ramping up Kyler and see how he progresses through the week. If it’s not Kyler, then it’s gonna be Clayton Tune. I talked to all three quarterbacks and [I’m] on the same page with them on how we’re gonna operate moving forward.”
Murray remains on the physically unable to perform list (PUP) after tearing his ACL in December 2022. The 21-day window in which the Cardinals must elevate him to the active roster expires next week.
Murray, Arizona’s No. 1 overall selection in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma, inked a five-year, $230.5 million deal last offseason. Though his talent hasn’t translated to success, a 25-31-1 mark as starter, Murray has appeared in two Pro Bowls and been productive. Murray has completed 66.8 percent of his passes for 13,848 yards with 84 passing touchdowns and 41 interceptions. He’s added 2,204 yards on the ground and 23 scores.
Cardinals moving on from Josh Dobbs after 1-7 start
Dobbs, acquired two weeks before Week 1, has started all eight games this season. He has thrown for 1,569 yards with eight touchdowns and five interceptions, to go along with 258 yards and three scores on the ground.
Tune, meanwhile, was the Cardinals 2023 fifth-round pick out of Houston. He suited up in 47 games across five seasons with the Cougars, putting up some prolific numbers in 2021 and ’22. He threw for 7,618 yards with 70 touchdowns and 20 interceptions on 67.8% passing. Tune ran the second-team offense for majority of training camp and preseason.