Now that the Cardinals offseason work has concluded, the players are out of the facility. Many have stated that these next few weeks aren't time off from football, but time away from the facility, hoping players remain locked in and prepared to report to Glendale for training camp on July 23. In the meantime, azcardinals.com will take a look and evaluate each position group prior to camp.
Quarterbacks are first up.
LOCKS: Kyler Murray, Desmond Ridder
Kyler Murray is the Cardinals franchise quarterback. The offensive coordinator has said it. The head coach has said it. The general manager has said it. If there was ever any doubt that this is Murray's team, the front office has dispelled those concerns. The offense in 2023 was drastically different with Murray at the helm. In eight games, Murray passed for nearly 1,800 yards, 10 touchdowns, and was key to the emergence of tight end Trey McBride. With a full, healthy offseason under his belt, the offense is hopeful to make a leap come 2024.
One of the most important positions in the NFL is QB2. The Cardinals experienced that when Murray was sidelined and had to start Joshua Dobbs and Clayton Tune in his absence. Monti Ossenfort traded Rondale Moore to the Falcons in exchange for Desmond Ridder, who is competing for the backup quarterback spot. Ridder has starting experience, appearing in 19 games for Atlanta. He passed for 2,836 yards and rushed for nearly 200 yards last season. Having another player in the quarterback room that shares similar qualities to Murray, all while understanding what it takes to start in the NFL, is valuable.
WORK TO DO: Clayton Tune
Tune's lone start in 2023 against the Browns did not go the way he would've liked. Ridder's starting experience gives him the edge to be placed in the lock category, but both he and Tune are entering training camp to battle for QB2. Tune does have some work to do to crack the 53-man roster and earn that backup slot, however, coach Jonathan Gannon said he's seen growth from his second-year quarterback. Gannon also has repeatedly shared that he likes having three quarterbacks in the building. So, all three quarterbacks on the roster very well could possibly stay in Tempe. The debate will then become if the trio remains on the 53-man roster or if one is placed on the practice squad.
UPGRADE ODDS: Low
The Cardinals have their guy and two quality backups already in the building. There isn't a big need to sign another arm.
