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Throughout training camp, PHNX Sports will provide an overview of each of the Cardinals position groups with a look at the likely starters, the backups/challengers, and players who could provide depth.
To view past position breakdowns, follow these links (more links will be added once those stories are published):
Cardinals quarterbacks
Projected starter: Kyler Murray
There is obviously no competition for the Arizona Cardinals starting quarterback job. There rarely is in the NFL these days, and if there is, it’s usually a sign of trouble. If he is healthy, Murray will play every meaningful snap for the Cardinals this season.
He has an array of weapons in receivers Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch, Zay Jones, tight end Trey McBride and running backs James Conner and Trey Benson. Murray’s greatest challenge may be finding enough touches for all of his pieces, provided they all stay healthy.
That wealth of options, his familiarity with the second-year coaching staff’s plan, and his health have Murray feeling optimistic about the 2024 season, and looking sharp thus far in camp.
“It has felt like one of the best offseasons I’ve had in a long time,” he said during OTAs. “Obviously, last year [I was] on the side, working on my body every day, having to watch, having to be in meetings and not really being able to get a feel for anything. It just makes a difference when I’m out there and we’re all getting better together; not only on the field, but off the field.”
In 65 career regular season games, Murray has completed 1,492 of 2,239 passes (66.6 completion percentage) for 15,647 yards, 94 TDs and 46 interceptions for a passer rating of 92.2.
Backup contenders: GM Monti Ossenfort traded receiver Rondale Moore, who was a 2021 second-round pick, to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for quarterback Desmond Ridder. That’s a pretty clear sign that Ridder will be Murray’s backup. He was also listed at the backup spot when the Cardinals released their first depth chart of the season.
Ridder (6-3, 207) was a Falcons’ third-round pick (No. 74) in 2022 out of Cincinnati. In 19 games (17 starts) with Atlanta, he completed 249 of 388 passes (64 completion percentage) for 3,544 yards, 14 TDs and 12 interceptions with a composite passer rating of 84.1.
“There is no substitute for experience, especially at the quarterback position,” Ossenfort told Darren Urban of the azcardinals.com at the time. “We’re seeking to add competition to the roster.
“Adding Desmond to the room with Kyler and Clayton [Tune] gives us three guys who will give us a good battle. They are all shaped a little differently but they all schematically can do similar things.”
Clayton Tune’s one start last season was a disaster. The rookie fifth-round pick out of Houston completed 11 of 20 passes for a paltry 58 yards. He threw two interceptions and lost a fumble while posting a passer rating of just 20.8.
“I’m frustrated, obviously,” Tune said at the time. “I’m disappointed. I wish I could’ve put a better showing out there. Win. Anytime you lose it’s frustrating and disappointing. You’ve just got to keep your head up and learn from it.”
Ossenfort and the Cardinals scouts obviously saw something in Tune. They told PHNX that they are excited about what he can do in Year 2, and although he was listed at No. 3 on the depth chart, he has been taking most of the second team reps recently.
That said, he is still early in his development. Will the Cardinals risk placing Tune on the practice squad to free up a 53-man roster spot for more depth elsewhere, or will they keep him on the 53-man to ensure that, given Kyler Murray’s injury history, a potential backup with a full year of development in the system isn’t lost?
Top photo of Kyler Murray via Getty Images
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