A year ago, the Cardinals weren’t sure who QB2 was going to be, but QB1 was already down – so whomever the choice, it had immediate impact.
Kyler Murray is healthy and ready to start this season. But his backup remains in question heading into the final preseason game in Denver on Sunday.
Clayton Tune has better statistics and seemingly a better camp compared to Desmond Ridder, but both coach Jonathan Gannon and offensive coordinator Drew Petzing have emphasized nothing has been decided. The report from NFL.com Thursday morning that Tune will get the start against the Broncos with Ridder coming in later is information that shouldn’t be parsed, Petzing said.
“I know people are going to make a big deal of who starts the game, but I don’t see it that way,” Petzing said. “Competition at every position is going to come down to final cuts. That’s the reality of training camp. I expect to see those guys play at a high level regardless of who is in there first.”
Murray has not played a preseason game, and for the first time in recent memory, the Cardinals aren’t even carrying a fourth quarterback. That has left Tune and Ridder to take all the snaps, and through two games, the reps have been split down the middle – one half of work for each player in each game.
Tune has completed 23-of-34 passes for 242 yards; Ridder has thrown only 19 passes, completing 10 for 114 yards. Ridder has 38 yards rushing on six carries, Tune 24 on four. Tune has thrown a TD pass and run for a touchdown. Neither player has turned the ball over.
