Clayton Tune appears to have the inside track on the backup quarterback gig behind Kyler Murray in Arizona.
Tune will start the Cardinals' preseason finale against the Denver Broncos, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Thursday, per a source informed of the plan. Desmond Ridder will take over after.
The pecking order indicates that Tune, who made seven appearances with one start as a rookie last season, has a leg up on the QB2 gig to open the season.
Rapoport added that it's possible that the Cards keep all three quarterbacks on the initial 53-man roster.
Tune got the start in Week 2 of the preseason against the Indianapolis Colts, completing 8 of 10 passes for 79 yards in 31 plays. In the opener, the 25-year-old played 41 snaps, going 15 of 24 for 163 yards with a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints.
Arizona acquired Ridder in a March trade with the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for receiver Rondale Moore. At the time, it looked like a decent swap of depressed assets, each of whom could use as a fresh start. However, Moore suffered a season-ending knee injury earlier this month. Now, Ridder could be out of a job.
With Murray sitting out preseason action, Ridder made the first start, completing 4 of 9 passes for 43 yards in a herky-jerky 27-play performance against New Orleans. He fared slightly better over the past weekend, going 6 of 10 for 71 yards in 18 plays against Indianapolis.
Tune's familiarity with Drew Petzing's scheme gave him an edge entering the offseason, one that Ridder, a former third-round pick, was expected to make up over time. That hasn't happened.
Sunday afternoon's bout in Denver will provide each quarterback one more chance to state his case.
The hope in Arizona is that, ultimately, Murray will start all 17 games, and it won't matter who plays caddy. However, given Murray's recent injury history, the insurance policy matters in the desert.