Sources – Cardinals QB Clayton Tune expected to start vs. Browns

Arizona Cardinals rookie fifth-round pick Clayton Tune is set to make his much-anticipated first NFL start this Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, according to sources close to the team. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the news earlier today.

In a press conference on Monday, Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon revealed that either Tune or Kyler Murray would take the field as the starting quarterback against the Browns. Making things even more intriguing, the Cardinals recently traded Joshua Dobbs, their starter for the first eight weeks of the season, to the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday and signed Jeff Driskel to the practice squad on Wednesday.

Gannon has consistently emphasized that the decision on Murray’s return from an ACL tear would be an organizational one. On Friday, he clarified that not only he and Murray, but also general manager Monti Ossenfort and offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, would weigh in on the decision-making process. Furthermore, Gannon revealed that owner Michael Bidwill would be kept in the loop throughout the discussions.

All three Cardinals quarterbacks demonstrated impressive skills during practice this week, according to Gannon. However, the coach stated that he wanted to observe Murray and Tune’s performance in Friday’s practice before finalizing the decision, highlighting that his mind wouldn’t be immediately swayed.

Tune, a 24-year-old rookie, has only seen action in one game this season, during a fake punt play in Week 7 against the Seattle Seahawks. He completed his sole pass attempt, gaining 4 yards. Apart from practice, this limited playtime is all that Arizona has witnessed of his performance so far.

Reflecting on his transition from preseason to regular-season games, Tune acknowledged the increase in speed and intensity in the NFL. He observed that the players are more fired up in the regular season, leading to a greater significance in decision-making. Tune emphasized the need to think quickly and make smart choices on the field.

When asked about his demeanor on the field, Tune mentioned that he has always maintained a cool, calm, and collected outlook. This mindset was instilled in him by his former coaches, who emphasized the importance of not showing extreme emotions to his teammates.

This report includes information from ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss.