Even though he’s overcoming ACL surgery, the Arizona Cardinals already have a franchise quarterback in Kyler Murray. But that didn’t prevent general manager Monti Ossenfort from adding to the position in the 2023 NFL Draft.
With Murray set to miss the start of the season as he continues to recover from his ACL tear, the Cardinals clearly wanted another camp arm to split the reps between veteran Colt McCoy, Jake Driskel, and David Blough.
Arizona found a solution in the fifth round by drafting Houston QB Clayton Tune with the 139th overall pick. As the ninth QB drafted on draft weekend, Tune was far from viewed as a top prospect, but that doesn’t mean he can’t develop into a capable starter in time. But Tune isn’t just setting his sights on proving himself as a starting option. He’s aiming much higher.
Despite a total of three quarterbacks selected in the first round, all of which are likely to start right away in Week 1, Tune feels he’s better than all of them. A recent post-draft interview revealed how much Tune believes in himself, and some around the league have taken notice.
“I think I’m the best quarterback in this class. If you look at my body of work, the effect that I have on my team that I play on, I elevate everyone around me. I’m a natural leader, people follow me and see the work that I’m putting in and the mindset that I have, and they want to follow suit.
Arizona Cardinals rookie QB Clayton Tune
Better than Bryce Young? Better than C.J. Stroud? Better than Anthony Richardson? Tune doesn’t seem to care how talented the peers in his rookie class are. He may not receive as many opportunities as his fellow first-year pros, but it’s clear when given a shot, Tune won’t lack any confidence.
Yet that opportunity may not come right away, with so many others ahead of the rookie on the Cardinals depth chart. But Tune, 24, has plenty of time to show what he can do.
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