ARIZONA CARDINALS

Arizona Cardinals name rookie Josh Rosen starting quarterback

Sep 24, 2018, 1:00 PM | Updated: 7:52 pm

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen, left, looks to throw the ball as he is pressured by Chica...

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen, left, looks to throw the ball as he is pressured by Chicago Bears linebacker Khalil Mack, right, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks announced Monday that rookie Josh Rosen will take over as the starting quarterback, beginning when the team hosts the NFC West foe Seattle Seahawks on Sunday for Week 4.

“Josh Rosen will be our starter going forward,” he said.

“I think Josh is more than ready for this opportunity,” Wilks told Bickley & Marotta on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station. “Very confident, you look at his athleticism, his skill set, his accuracy, his arm strength, all of that. We’ve got to do a great job of working around him, meaning everybody got to do their part.”

Rosen, the team’s first-round selection at 10th overall in this year’s NFL Draft, entered the game for the Cardinals on Sunday in Week 3 against the Bears. He took over for starter Sam Bradford in the fourth quarter with 4:31 to go, but it was too little too late for Arizona to mount a comeback over Chicago. The UCLA product completed 3-of-6 passes for 27 yards in his first NFL drive before throwing an interception.

Rosen got on the field once more, but that drive ended with a sack to seal the victory for the Bears. He finished his debut having completed 4-of-7 passes for 36 yards and the pick.

Bradford will be benched after starting just three games for Arizona, completing 62.5 percent of his passes on 80 attempts. He threw two touchdowns to go with four interceptions and a passer rating of 62.5. He was also sacked six times.

After the Cardinals’ Week 2 loss in Los Angeles to the Rams, Wilks defended Bradford some, pointing out that the inability of the offense to sustain success was largely due to poor team play, not just poor quarterback play.

“I think Sam is doing well,” he Wilks said. “Is he inconsistent? Yes. Does he need to be a little more accurate? Yes. But that’s not just Sam. We need to be able to get a little more protection, he needs a little bit more time to go through his progression.”

Bradford signed a contract this offseason worth up to $20 million this season with $15 million guaranteed. Bradford’s deal also has a team option for next season worth $20 million.

“Sam is a pro,” Wilks said when asked how he took the news. “He’s been around for a while. He understands. As I said from day one when he came in, Sam is our starter. I want Josh to be able to sit and learn and grow, and it’s Sam’s job to lose.

“He understands that we need more production out of that particular position. He was a little disappointed but he understands his role and he’s going to do everything he can to help Josh.”

Following Wilks’ announcement, the rookie QB took to Instagram to show his support of Bradford, as well as Mike Glennon.

“Since day 1, Sam has had my back and helped me become the best quarterback I could be. I cannot thank him enough for showing me how to be a professional in every sense of the word,” Rosen said on Instagram. “He is a leader, mentor, and great person. He and Mike Glennon couldn’t have been more supportive at a time that I thought might be a bit tense or awkward today.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to be in a QB room with two of the most selfless people I’ve ever been around as I start my career as a quarterback in the NFL. For that I say thank you,” he added.

“With that being said, let’s get the Valley rockin’ AZ!!!!”

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Monti Ossenfort looks on...

Vincent DeAngelis

PFF’s Spielberger grades Cardinals’ free agent class among worst in NFL

PFF's Brad Spielberger gave the Cardinals' free agent class a "C" grade in his latest rankings. It was the worst grade among all 32 teams.

7 hours ago

Jonah Williams pressure Sam Darnold...

Tyler Drake

Report: Free agent DL Jonah Williams visiting Arizona Cardinals this week

Defensive lineman Jonah Williams is visiting the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings this week, according to Aaron Wilson.

15 hours ago

Casita seating at the Arizona Cardinals' State Farm Stadium...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals’ new suite options at State Farm Stadium include casitas

The Arizona Cardinals on Monday announced new luxury seating options for 2024, including custom casita suites at State Farm Stadium.

19 hours ago

Justin Fields...

Associated Press

Quarterback carousel: Bears trade Justin Fields to Steelers to clear way for top pick

The Chicago Bears traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night for draft compensation.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray...

Arizona Sports

Report: Cardinals QB Kyler Murray’s 2025 guarantees kick in

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray had nearly $30 million guaranteed for the 2025 season kick in by remaining on Arizona's roster by Saturday.

3 days ago

Paris Johnson Jr. celebrates with Kyler Murray...

Tyler Drake

Which side of the line will Cardinals’ Paris Johnson Jr. command in 2024?

Even before the Cardinals released D.J. Humphries, there was already talk of Paris Johnson Jr. making the switch from right to left.

3 days ago

Arizona Cardinals name rookie Josh Rosen starting quarterback