Cardinals release QB Colt McCoy, leaving position in flux as regular season approaches
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TEMPE, Ariz. — The Arizona Cardinals have released their expected starting quarterback Colt McCoy less than two weeks before the team’s season opener against the Washington Commanders.
The Cardinals announced the move on Monday.
The 36-year-old McCoy had a 3-3 record in spot starts as the backup to Kyler Murray over the past two seasons, and was expected to handle that role this fall while Murray recovers from a torn ACL suffered last season.
Murray, who tore his ACL on Dec. 12, will start the 2023 regular season on the physically unable to perform list, NFL Network reported, meaning Murray will miss at least the first four games.
New coach Jonathan Gannon had recently been coy about the team’s starter while Murray was out.
Rookie Clayton Tune and veteran David Blough took the snaps against the Vikings in Saturday’s preseason game.
The Cardinals also traded for quarterback Joshua Dobbs last week, signaling that McCoy might not be the answer.
It is unclear who the Cardinals might start under center in Week 1.
In other Monday moves, the Cardinals also released safety Sean Chandler and cornerback Nate Hairston. They also placed offensive lineman Pat Elflein on injured reserve.
McCoy has played 12 seasons with five teams, mostly as a backup. He has thrown for 7,975 yards and 34 touchdowns in his career and has a 11-25 mark in 36 starts.
Dobbs, who began his career as a fourth-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2017, has appeared in eight games over parts of three NFL seasons. His only two starts came last season with Tennessee. He completed 40 of 68 passes for 411 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for the Titans.