The Arizona Cardinals executed three trades on Thursday, the final of which was a move to acquire quarterback Josh Dobbs from the Cleveland Browns.
The move creates all sorts of questions about the Cardinals’ quarterback situation.
Only 1 thing seems certain
With the addition of Dobbs, they now have three quarterbacks that will be on the final 53-man roster. That does not include Kyler Murray.
Colt McCoy will be there (with $2.25 million guaranteed salary), Dobbs will be there ($1.5 million guaranteed salary) and rookie Clayton Tune will be there.
The Cardinals don’t make this move if Murray is not starting the season on PUP.
That means at least four games before Murray’s return is even a possibility.
Josh Dobbs as a starter?
One of the first reactions to the trade was that Dobbs immediately becomes the Cardinals’ Week 1 starter.
While McCoy has looked underwhelming in the preseason and at times in training camp, even with Dobbs’ experience in the offensive system last season with the Browns, what about his career suggests he is a better option to start the season as the starter with only two weeks with the team?
Colt McCoy hurt?
McCoy got hurt right before last season and then, when he had to start late in the year, got hurt again.
McCoy didn’t play on Saturday. If he is at all injured, perhaps the team just doesn’t want rookie Clayton Tune starting.
That is where Dobbs comes in.
Dobbs replaces McCoy?
Would the Cardinals cut McCoy? Could he retire?
To cut him would be to eat more than $2 million. They would have to play him $2.25 million to not play.
Why would he retire now? His family was already prepared for him to play. He is scheduled to make $3.75 million, which is the highest salary he has earned in his entire career.
This wouldn’t make sense.
Dobbs as a trusted backup
This is what makes the most sense.
This is insurance to ensure Tune doesn’t have to start before he is ready.
Dobbs gives the Cardinals a backup they can trust if McCoy gets hurt before Murray’s return.
Murray’s return will create tough decision
Whenever Murray returns, especially if it is before midseason, it will create a tough decision.
They won’t have four quarterbacks on the roster, so they will have to cut or trade McCoy, Dobbs or Tune.
McCoy and Dobbs have guaranteed salary the Cardinals would have to eat if released. Tune is a rookie who showed a little promise in the preseason. He probably gets claimed off waivers.
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