Here's why starting Colt McCoy against the 49ers is the right move for the Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is officially questionable heading into this weekend’s divisional matchup at San Francisco. The third-year signal caller, in 40 career NFL games, has never missed a start. Yet due to a lingering ankle injury suffered in the final moments of last week’s loss to the Green Bay Packers, there’s reason to believe Kyler Murray may not suit up come Sunday afternoon.

And that’s the right decision, by the way.

Murray is speculated to have a sprained ankle that could require multiple weeks in order to properly heal. Rather than rush back their Pro Bowl QB, the Cardinals have a distinct advantage in their ability to tread water with backup Colt McCoy until Murray is ready. Unlike the tail end of last year, in which a clearly compromised Kyler Murray attempted to gut it out in pursuit of the postseason, the 2021 Cardinals have built serious collateral in the form of a 7-1 record.

They’ve also constructed an offense flushed with playmakers that will make the job for the incumbent Colt McCoy that much easier. As opposed to his time with the dysfunctional Cleveland Browns or Washington Football Team, McCoy enters an ideal position that could see him produce at a high level immediately. The offense that the 35-year-old veteran will operate is, by and large, very similar to his days as a Texas Longhorn.

Rather than the slow and methodical offenses that were forced on him when he entered the league, expect this version of McCoy to operate in the shotgun while getting the ball out quickly to his many weapons in the passing game. The New Mexico native still has a quick release and is surprisingly accurate, especially on throws 10-15 yards downfield.

“He approaches like a starter,” Kliff Kingsbury said when poised with the scenario of Colt McCoy potentially starting on Sunday. “He’s here all day every day. He does all the stuff you want and he’s been a tremendous addition.

“If Kyler isn’t able to make it, we’d have all the confidence in Colt.”

Even though the Cardinals figure to be a consensus underdog once the game kicks off, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better matchup for McCoy to potentially exploit an in-division rival. The San Francisco 49ers will trot out a mediocre secondary that boasts the likes of Josh Norman and Dre Kirkpatrick while also missing standout safety Jimmie Ward due to injury. Should the Arizona offensive line hold up, McCoy should be able to facilitate at a high level to the Cardinals’ many quality receivers.

San Francisco already had issues containing the likes of DeAndre Hopkins and Rondale Moore during their 17-10 loss earlier this season at State Farm Stadium. Now the 49ers must also deal with McCoy’s presumed safety net in newly acquired tight end Zach Ertz.

The presence of McCoy should also incentivize Kingsbury to run the football while controlling the clock in the process. McCoy may have his faults as a starting quarterback, but he’s often known as someone who takes care of the football. As a member of the New York Giants last season, McCoy threw a single interception in four games played, one of which was a starting victory at Seattle.

Anyone who watched Colt McCoy function during the preseason should take solace in knowing that he won’t embarrass himself if forced into action. McCoy has been entrenched in this Cardinal system since signing with the club back on March 30. His influence and relationship with both Kingsbury and Murray is evident, which was why Steve Keim prioritized the acquisition during the initial waive of NFL free agency.

Keim and Kingsbury also knew that, should the team be faced with a scenario like Sunday, McCoy is competent enough to scrap together a win or two for this franchise. After watching the likes of Chris Streveler in last season’s finale against the LA Rams, the former third-rounder will be breath of fresh air for Cardinals fans.

Over the better part of the last decade, this franchise has been “blessed” with a slew of quality backups that were capable of wining games. From the likes of Drew Stanton to Blaine Gabbert and finally John Skelton, each substitute demonstrated a keen ability to rise to the occasion when their number was called.

Here’s hoping that after Sunday, the Red Sea is able to add McCoy’s name to this list of unexpected yet serviceable signal callers.