Arizona Cardinals could start rookie QB Clayton Tune Week 1 amid Kyler Murray's injury recovery

As Kyler Murray deals with his recovery from a serious knee injury, an opportunity could arise for rookie Clayton Tune.

The Arizona Cardinals drafted the former Houston Cougars quarterback in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, hoping he could become Murray’s longterm backup. Instead, The Arizona Republic‘s Bob McManaman is reporting Tune could be in line to start Week 1.

“All anyone knows for sure is with Kyler Murray expected to miss some portion of next season and Colt McCoy being an obvious injury risk, the door could swing open for Tune to experience his own Brock Purdy-type opportunity,” reported McManaman. “Considering the offense, the Cardinals wouldn’t have to change much if Tune were left to run the show.”

As McManaman mentioned, Tune is similar to Murray in his ability to make things happen with his legs, as the former Houston signal caller ran a 4.6 at the NFL Scouting Combine. It could be worth a shot for the Cardinals.

Perhaps the Cardinals will find a diamond in the rough in Clayton Tune. It looks like it’s going to be a long season regardless, so they might as well throw some stuff at the wall and see what sticks in 2023.

Current NFL betting lines have Arizona Cardinals as underdogs in all 17 games

Continuing, it’s evident that Las Vegas isn’t full of believers in the Arizona Cardinals if the odds are to be believed.

Following the release of the NFL’s complete 2023 schedule earlier this offseason, initial odds for games were released by Vegas — and they have the Cardinals losing every game. Vegas has their over/under win total set at 5.5, a number that many are choosing the under with.

Of course, that doesn’t mean the Cardinals will be winless this season. First-year head coach Jonathan Gannon’s best chance to string a few wins together will be between Week 10 through Week 12. They host the Atlanta Falcons (+1.5), are at the Houston Texans (+1.5) and then host the Los Angeles Rams (+2) in consecutive weeks — which are the three most winnable games for Arizona this season, according to Vegas.

Here is a complete list of the Cardinals’ schedule along with its betting lines, courtesy of The Lines. 

• Week 1: at Washington Commanders (+6)
• Week 2: vs. New York Giants (+4)
• Week 3: vs. Dallas Cowboys (+6.5)
• Week 4: at San Francisco 49ers (+9.5)
• Week 5: vs. Cincinnati Bengals (+7.5)
• Week 6: at Los Angeles Rams (+4.5)
• Week 7: at Seattle Seahawks (+7)
• Week 8: vs. Baltimore Ravens (+5.5)
• Week 9: at Cleveland Browns (+7)
• Week 10: vs. Atlanta Falcons (+1.5)
• Week 11: at Houston Texans (+1.5)
• Week 12: vs. Los Angeles Rams (+2)
• Week 13: Pittsburgh Steelers (+6.5)
• Week 14: BYE
• Week 15: vs. San Francisco 49ers (+6.5)
• Week 16: at Chicago Bears (+4.5)
• Week 17: at Philadelphia Eagles (+10)
• Week 18: vs. Seattle Seahawks (+5.4)

On3’s Barkley Truax contributed to this article.