Former Tennessee star QB Joshua Dobbs to start opener for Arizona Cardinals | Report
Arizona Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed Wednesday that the team has a plan for who will start at quarterback Sunday in the regular season opener against the Washington Commanders, and that the players know the plan.
It's either Josh Dobbs or Clayton Tune with nothing official.
"I trust our guys. The media is the media so that's your guys' job. I understand that. But we're going to do what's best for our football team as we see fit and try to execute that," Gannon said.
After Gannon's remarks, a report surfaced from national NFL reporter Ian Rapoport the Cardinals are expected to go with Dobbs, with Tune getting backup work this week. This isn't a surprise, as Dobbs is familiar with offensive coordinator Drew Petzing's scheme and has the NFL experience that Tune doesn't at this point.
Asked when he might reveal who officially gets the nod, Gannon remained steadfast.
"I ain't telling you anything," Gannon said.
Dobbs, the former Tennessee star, wouldn't confirm he is the starter but answered questions about the possibility of it.
"If I (start), every opportunity means a ton, whether you start or whether you go in halfway through a game or whenever your number is called, it's always a opportunity to go out and play the game that you love, right? That you pour a ton into," Dobbs said. "And go out and compete and lead the team. That's what every young quarterback dreams of when they're growing up. These opportunities, you never take them for granted."
Dobbs, 28, is entering his seventh season in the NFL.
Tune said he felt more confident he'd be on the roster as training camp and the preseason wore on.
"I would say each day that goes by I'm getting better, thinking less. More reps, more film all that stuff goes into helping me just play freely," Tune said.
Checking in on Kyler
Gannon repeated what he's said in the past about quarterback Kyler Murray, who has to miss the first four weeks of the season and possibly more if his knee rehab isn't expediting the healing process.
"I'm operating under the premise of when he's mentally and physically ready to play, he'll play. And I know that he's a franchise quarterback, so those are good for head coaches, typically," Gannon said.
Gannon said Murray is improving every day, and that Murray needs to focus on his physical and mental health before playing football.
"I'm proud of him and how he's battled. I'm proud of all our guys that are recovering and have went through long injuries and longer recoveries," Gannon said. "It's a lonely world going through a rehab process by yourself with one or two guys."
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Former Tennessee star Joshua Dobbs to start Arizona opener | Report
