Tempe – When you know, you know.
When it came to quarterback Colt McCoy and his place on the roster, the Arizona Cardinals knew a shake-up was needed, and they released the veteran caller on Monday.
After watching him attempt 12 passes across four preseason series and so much more at camp, the Cardinals saw everything they needed to see in a QB.
The cut comes ahead of what could have been McCoy’s third season as a Cardinal and what looked like a Week 1 starting nod after working with the first-team offense throughout training camp and the preseason.
Ultimately, however, it was a necessary step in the eyes of general manager Monty Osenfurt and head coach Jonathan Gannon as they continue to build their vision for the franchise moving forward.
“Just as with every decision, we look at the whole business and evaluate our guys — production goes into that — and we felt it was the best decision for the team to move forward with the guys we have in the room to help us win football games,” Gannon said Monday.
Good decision or not, it wasn’t an easy one to make given what the veteran has brought to the table this season and under previous management.
“It’s difficult,” Gannon added. “Colt is great. He’s a real professional, that’s why he’s played for so long. Having been through that process in a different seat so many times, it was a little bit different today. It’s tough.
“You know they care, they make a lot of sacrifices and work hard at their craft. But in the end, I think if you’re honest with them, they appreciate it and they know we’ll do what we have to do to try and do what’s best for the team. These are tough days.”
With McCoy, who many considered an Arizona Opening Day starter ahead of Monday’s news, not coming into the picture, the Cardinals will likely turn to newcomer Josh Dobbs or rookie Clayton Toon under center.
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