Clayton Tune Expected to Start for Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals are expected to start Clayton Tune this week against the Cleveland Browns.

ARIZONA -- It's Tune Time in Arizona.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon - one day after expressing his confidence in Joshua Dobbs as quarterback - greeted reporters with news: There's a change at the quarterback position, he said at his Monday press conference.

"Just real quick - talked on the quarterbacks this morning. We're gonna keep ramping up Kyler [Murray] and see how he progresses through the week. If it's not Kyler then it's gonna be Clayton Tune," said Gannon.

"I've talked to all three quarterbacks and [we're all] on the same page on how we're gonna operate moving forward. I look forward to having a good week of prep. Cleveland, two-day trip, try to go get a win."

One NFL insider says Tune will get the start. 

"Barring a significant change of plans, #AZCardinals rookie Clayton Tune is expected to start this week, sources say. Kyler Murray may still play, but next week is more likely as of now," tweeted Ian Rapoport. 

Barring a significant change of plans, #AZCardinals rookie Clayton Tune is expected to start this week, sources say. Kyler Murray may still play, but next week is more likely as of now.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 30, 2023

Tune - a rookie taken in the fifth round out of Houston - made plenty of noise over the course of OTA's and training camp before preseason play, where his performance could best be described as hit-and-miss. 

Tune flashed his athleticism and arm talent at times but was inconsistent in terms of accuracy outside of the numbers and did not progress through his reads well. 

Now, Tune is expected to face one of the NFL's top defensive units on the road in Cleveland. Murray could still play, though the organization is believed to still exercise patience in his return from a torn ACL/meniscus. 

After their road trip in Cleveland, the Cardinals will be home against the Atlanta Falcons.