For 31 clubs, we know who will start as quarterback in Week 1. The Arizona Cardinals continue to be an anomaly, with head coach Jonathan Gannon refusing to name starting fifth-round rookie Clayton Tune or recently signed Joshua Dobbs before their game against the Washington Commanders.
Dobbs and a seventh-round pick were traded last week by the Cards, who are collecting draught picks for 2024. Dobbs said on Wednesday on the team’s official website : “It’s a whirlwind,”
Dobbs still hopes to start despite having only 17 days before the start of the season to become fully acclimated to a new team.
“I put starting expectations on myself,” “I know the QB situation will play out however the coaches see fit. For me, I am ready to compete every day.”
A good problem to have ?
The 28-year-old rocket scientist has prior experience starting on short notice. Just eight days after signing with the Tennessee Titans last year, he started a game for them as they made a playoff push.
The Cardinals’ belief that Dobbs would have a shot to start this late in the game was probably influenced by his two-game tenure in Tennessee. At the time, Monti Ossenfort, the general manager of Arizona, worked in the Titans’ front office. Additionally, Dobbs is well-versed in the offence due to offensive coordinator for the Cards Drew Petzing’s previous experience with the quarterback in Cleveland, a point that has been made frequently since the acquisition.
If the Cards pick Tune instead of Dobbs, it won’t affect Dobbs’ overall trajectory.
“If that is the case, I have put in a ton of work, I have a ton of sweat equity and I am extremely prepared for the opportunity,” “but it doesn’t mean I’m ever complacent.”
Regardless of who starts in Week 1, the fact in Arizona is that we’ll likely see both Tune and Dobbs at some point this season.