The new Arizona Cardinals’ head coach Jonathan Gannon is holding his cards close to his chest ahead of the start of 2023. Some would say even too close.
Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Gannon declined to reveal who will be the team’s starting quarterback for Week 1 game against the Washington Commanders. With last year’s starter Kyler Murray still out with a knee injury, the Cardinals’ quarterback room currently consists out of journeyman Joshua Dobbs and rookie Clayton Tune.
“Guys, I ain’t telling you anything,” Gannon responded to questions about whether Dobbs or Tune will start under center on Sunday.
Gannon previously described his refusal to name the starting QB as a “competitive advantage,” but said that Dobbs and Tune already know who will get to take the first snap.
Dobbs spent time with five different teams since being drafted in the fourth round of 2017 NFL Draft but only made two starts as a pro; both with the Tennessee Titans last season. The 28-year-old completed 40 passes out of 68 attempted in 2022, throwing for 411 yards, two touchdowns and two picks.
Tune doesn’t have pro experience but had more time to learn the playbook considering that Dobbs only joined the team in late August. The Cardinals drafted Tune out of Houston in the fifth round of this year’s draft. The 24-year-old played in all three of Arizona’s preseason games, completing 57.6% of his passes for 353 yards, one TD and one pick.
