Backup signal-caller is getting Arizona Cardinals attention

Arizona Cardinals free agent pickup Brett Hundley is proving to be a much better quarterback than many gave him credit for

Back in June, a comment from Arizona Cardinals quarterback Brett Hundley elicited some snickers. Many believed that the club’s backup signal-caller was hallucinating when he said that he planned on winning the starting job from Kyler Murray. Suddenly, that thought doesn’t seem as outlandish as it once did.

Okay, let’s just say that it would take a miracle for Hundley to be named the starter over the overhyped Murray. That scenario would almost certainly cost Cards general manager Steve Keim his job. The two-time “NFL Executive of the Year” has pretty much hitched his wagon to Murray, so there’s no way that the rookie won’t be given every possible chance to succeed.

Be that as it may, Arizona fans would have to admit that Hundley has completed outplayed the 2018 Heisman Trophy winner through two preseason games. Granted, the veteran’s success has come primarily against the opponents’ second-stringers. But the fact of the matter is, Hundley has been able to put some points on the board for the Cardinals, and Murray has not.

Last week, against the Los Angeles Chargers, Hundley completed 10 of 14 passes for 104 yards and a touchdown. The former Green Bay Packer and Seattle Seahawk added a 14-yard scamper to his final statistics as well. Hundley’s scoring strike in the second quarter to wide receiver Trent Sherfield was quite simply a thing of beauty.

Hundley followed up that performance with another impressive one versus the Oakland Raiders. The 26-year old made good on 10 of his 15 throws for 139 yards and another passing score to Sherfield. Hundley also rushed three times for 26 yards, flashing outstanding mobility for a player of his size (6’3, 226).

Murray’s play during the exhibition matchups can best be described as a roller coaster ride. The 22-year old was solid against the Chargers, driving home 6 of his 7 attempts for 44 yards. Murray’s follow-up outing versus the Raiders was downright dreadful, however, when he completed just 3 of his 8 tosses for 12 measly passing yards.

Despite all of that, it’s going to take an utter collapse from Murray in order for Hundley to overtake him for the starting gig. A bounce back showing from the franchise’s top pick next weekend should make everything well in Cardinal land again. Nevertheless, it’s comforting to know that Arizona has a competitor like Hundley to turn to in case Murray does turn out to be a disaster.