Trace McSorley will start for the Arizona Cardinals Week 1 Preseason game vs. Bengals

A bit of surprising Arizona Cardinals news hit the airwaves on Tuesday afternoon.

It’s a known fact that a lot of starters don’t play in many preseason games. Often fans of the Arizona Cardinals expect to see the second quarterback on the depth chart at the beginning of the game.

Turns out, that won’t even happen. Kliff Kingsbury announced that both Kyler Murray and Colt McCoy will be resting their arms. Third-stringer Trace McSorley will get his first start in an NFL game since Week 14 in 2020 (Pro Football Reference).

Behind him will be undrafted rookie Jarret Guarantano out of Washington State, who will most likely get the second half. No plan on that has been revealed, but unless there’s another skill player who can sling the rock, that’s what fans of the Arizona Cardinals should expect.

Who is the Arizona Cardinals fourth-string quarterback Jarrett Guarantano?

Guarantano signed with the Arizona Cardinals after a five-year college career in which he spent four seasons at Tennessee and then one graduate year with Washington State. Guarantano’s time with the Volunteers was incredibly productive, throwing for over 6,000 passing yards and 34 touchdowns.

His final year at Washington State saw very limited action, appearing in only two games. There he threw for 304 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions.

As for who he’ll be going up against, it’s former Denver Broncos quarterback Brandon Allen. If not him, then either former University of Washington standout Jake Browning. Rounding up the depth chart for the Bengals is little-known Greg Plitt out of Ball State.

This is preseason football at its purest form. So if you’re still watching late into the game, you’ll know who’s out there for both teams. Best of luck to these young passers as they suit up on Friday night.