Josh Dobbs’s Journey To NFL Vikings Is One Of A Kind

Josh Dobbs has only been with the Minnesota Vikings for a little over two weeks, but in that time, he has emerged as maybe the NFL season’s biggest story. After being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, Dobbs has played for nine different teams. However, he now feels as though he has finally found a home with the Vikings.

Josh Dobbs’s Journey To NFL Vikings Is One Of A Kind

After an injury forced Dobbs to report for emergency service, he had to pick up the plays and cadences of the squad on the fly while guiding the Vikings to victory in his first start with the team. In his second game, he had an even better look. In Week 10, the Vikings are gaining ground on the New Orleans Saints thanks to Dobbs finding the end zone multiple times, whether he’s using his arm or his legs.

In each of Dobbs’ games, the Vikings have prevailed.

“It was electric, I had a lot of fun,” Dobb said after his first experience playing in Minnesota. “Great win, we’ll continue pushing forward.

“Stepping on the field and having the [practice repetitions] where you’re not first-time throwing to receivers and working with the Oline mid-game allowed it to be a lot more comfortable on the field. The week of preparation where I could get the offence under my belt, the game plan under my belt, was awesome.”

We’ll get into Dobbs’ play later, but first, let’s discuss his trip to Minnesota. This map does an excellent job of following “The Passtronaut’s” route prior to his arrival in Minnesota.

After suffering a season-ending Achilles injury, Kirk Cousins was the starting quarterback for the Twin Cities, but in just two weeks, Josh Dobbs has given them reason to feel at ease.

However, Josh Dobbs is now in charge.

“Having fun coaching him right now just because there’s a lot that goes into it,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said of Dobbs. “Then when we get to play football he goes out there and he looks like he’s enjoying himself.

“I know his teammates are enjoying watching him. [He] continues to get acclimated to our team. I’m just really proud of Josh and he’s excited to get back to work and continue the momentum on this thing.”

Just before the season began, Dobbs was traded to the Arizona Cardinals after spending training camp with the Cleveland Browns. The Vikings acquired him for a sixth round selection and received a seventh round pick in return after he made eight starts with Arizona. Now, he’s having a blast.

Here’s the full journey for Dobbs since being drafted in 2017:

  • Pittsburgh Steelers (2017-2019)
  • Jacksonville Jaguars (2019)
  • Pittsburgh Steelers (2020-2021)
  • Cleveland Browns (2022)
  • Detroit Lions (2022)
  • Tennessee Titans (2022)
  • Cleveland Browns (2023)
  • Arizona Cardinals (2023)
  • Minnesota Vikings (2023)

Dobbs has not fumbled the ball once in his two games with the Vikings, completing more than 70% of his throws and accounting for five touchdowns (two on the ground and three via passing).

Almost as an afterthought, he was moved from the Cardinals at the trade deadline and landed in Minnesota on October 31st. His first two teams this year have been the Vikings and Arizona after he was moved from Cleveland.

Then everything went berserk.

https://twitter.com/AddisonEra2/status/1723820928847556801

Because Cousins was sidelined and the Vikings needed a backup for new starter Jaran Hall, they traded for Dobbs.

Dobbs’ winding career in the NFL has led him to Minnesota, his ninth team and seventh move. Following a victory that the Vikings’ coaches, players, supporters, and Dobbs family won’t soon forget, Dobbs is certain of at least starting Sunday against the Saints.

Despite not having practiced much of the Vikings playbook, Dobbs’ exploits were not surprising to family, past coaches, or colleagues.

Eight days after joining with the Tennessee Titans last season, Dobbs made his first professional start, so he did have some experience with rapid turnarounds. By the way, the game was won by the Titans.

Dobbs was also acquired by the Cardinals during the preseason, and less than two weeks later, he made his debut in the regular season opener.

Then, the trade deadline marked the end of his Cardinals career, illustrating both Arizona’s lack of real planning and how quickly NFL life comes to a person.

They informed Dobbs he was going to start. He was then informed that he had been benched. He was then informed that, although benched, he would not be traded or discharged. He was then traded.

All of this took place in a span of 36 hours.

And here comes Dobbs, who was hurt in the first quarter of last week’s game against Atlanta.

Dobbs said he tried to make up for missing the first two months of the season by spending the bulk of last week at the Vikings’ facility.

“I’m not paid by the hour so I have nowhere else to be,” Dobbs said. “I spent a lot of time at the facility. I probably ate every meal every day there. Which was fine, man. I’m blessed to be in the position I am. I’m grateful for this opportunity.

“So no stone will be not turned over, whether it’s no growing in the offence, creating simulated reps in the facility, or studying the defences we’re going to play.”

Dobbs claimed he frequently questioned Cousins and the other quarterbacks about the playbook and opponents.

“I asked them questions about the offence, stuff that was getting installed, just to clear my mind,” Dobbs said, “as I was exorcizing some demons to make sure I was locked in for game day.”

Next season, the Vikings will be without a starter. Have they met their prospective starter yet?

“He’ll get him a big contract after the year,” FOX Sports analyst Jimmy Johnson said at halftime on Sunday. “It’s about being in the right place at the right time with the right coach and he’s got that in Minnesota.”

As he excelled at Tennessee, Dobbs earned a 4.0 GPA and an aeronautical engineering degree, making him the only NFL player with this distinction. In addition to his several NFL gigs, he is a true rocket scientist who has completed two internships at NASA.

If the regular season ended today, the Vikings (5-4) would be in the NFC’s last playoff position. They have turned adversity into opportunity, which is one of the themes O’Connell has emphasized since the team’s 0-3 start. They are currently riding a four-game winning run.

 

 

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