Cardinals QB Colt McCoy Isn't Assuming Starting Job is Won

The Arizona Cardinals will need a quarterback while Kyler Murray works towards a return. Many believe that's Colt McCoy.

GLENDALE -- Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray is still rehabbing a torn ACL/meniscus, and despite recently saying in the team's "Flight Plan" YouTube series he was targeting a Week 1 return, Murray himself spoke with reporters late last week and was more skeptical.

"It's a great question. I have no answer for you, though. I take it one day at a time. Like I said, I don't have a timetable or whatever. But yeah, just taking it one day at a time," said Murray when asked how close he was to returning.

"Obviously me being the competitor I am, do I want to miss any time? No, it's not on my mind. But we're not even in August yet so I've taken it one day at a time."

Without Murray in the fold, all eyes are on Colt McCoy - a veteran quarterback with plenty of experience - to lead the way in Murray's absence. 

McCoy is considered the frontrunner despite age and health concerns, though rookie fifth-round pick Clayton Tune could potentially make a push with a strong showing in training camp/preseason. 

When McCoy met with reporters today, he was asked about looking down the road and assuming the QB1 spot when the Cardinals travel to take on the Washington Commanders in Week 1 of the regular season:

"I'm really trying to avoid doing that. To be honest, for me, it's been a really long time since I was in this position. I've been in it a couple of times before, so I would say that I'm leaning on some of that, that I've [gone through] in my past, but at the same time I think we're sort of all in the same boat here and that we're all learning a new system," said McCoy, who has 36 starts under his belt and has started multiple games in four of the last five seasons. 

"This is very much different than what we've done the last couple of years. And so for me, I think really staying you in - I call it the green zone - staying really locked into right now, each meeting, each practice is really helping me kind of figure out what do I like in this offense? How do I see myself executing this? I think overall I'm gonna stay in that zone and just keep going. 

"This is a long week, we got six days, and we're gonna learn a lot of football in these next six days and figure out a little bit closer to who we're going to be and try not to think down the road at all."

McCoy - who turns 37 later this year - didn't throw at all in one practice last week in efforts to bring back his elbow from surgery earlier this offseason. 

He says he feels great:

"We all collectively kind of put a plan together. Last week, I had a day like that. Probably have one coming up. Just being smart," McCoy said on not throwing. 

"I feel great. I feel like the guys have come in here after the break, and really have been sharp. (Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing) is asking a lot of us, he's putting a lot on my plate, putting a lot on the offensive line, receivers. We're switching around doing a lot of things to see what we can handle."

The Cardinals will have their first taste of preseason action when the Denver Broncos visit on Friday, Aug. 11. 

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