Cardinals Reverse QB Plans Ahead Of Matchup vs. Browns

After initially announcing Joshua Dobbs as their starter for Week 9, the Cardinals are switching course ahead of their trip to Cleveland

The Cardinals are making a QB change ahead of their Week 9 matchup against the Cleveland Browns — but they don’t know who their QB is yet.

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon just knows it won’t be Joshua Dobbs.

After initially announcing Dobbs as the starter following Arizona’s fifth straight loss, Gannon reversed course Monday and said the Cardinals will instead start rookie Clayton Tune or two-time Pro Bowler Kyler Murray, who has been on injured reserve for the entirety of the season but is nearing a return.

That means Dobbs won’t have a chance to play against his former team.

The Browns, of course, traded Dobbs to the Cardinals just before the season began for a 2024 fifth-round pick. Dobbs has started every game for Arizona this season and was doing a respectable job, completing 62 percent of his passes with eight touchdowns and five interceptions. His 1,569 passing yards this season ranked 21st among passers, ahead of QBs such as Joe Burrow (1,513), Jordan Love (1,492) and 2023 first overall pick Bryce Young (1,202).

Gannon, however, decided to make a change a day after the Cardinals’ 31-24 loss to the Ravens. Dobbs went 25-for-37 with 208 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Oct 29, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Joshua Dobbs (9) throws against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half at State Farm Stadium / Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Gannon will now turn to either Tune, who was a fifth-round pick by the Cardinals in the spring out of Houston, or Murray, the first overall pick in 2019. Murray hasn’t played in a game since Week 14 of last season, when he suffered a torn ACL.

Murray would obviously pose a bigger challenge to the Browns — his mobility is one of the best among NFL QBs, although it could take him time to rediscover that element after suffering a major injury.

If he’s healthy and back up to speed, Gannon appears ready to start him.

“If it’s not Kyler, it’s going to be Clayton Tune,” Gannon told reporters. “I’ve talked to all three quarterbacks. On the same page with them moving forward.”

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, however, said Tune is likely to start.

No matter who the Cardinals select, the Browns will have to pivot their plans after entering the day expecting a reunion against their former backup QB.