Josh Dobbs is coming back to the NFC North, giving Minnesota Vikings fans another familiar backup quarterback to watch in Detroit. NFL insider Mike Garafolo reported that the Detroit Lions are signing Dobbs to a one-year, $1.425 million contract with $475,000 fully guaranteed.
That guarantee signals a commitment to Dobbs as Jared Goff’s No. 2. Detroit needed a veteran after Teddy Bridgewater stepped away from football and moved toward retirement, and Dobbs gives the Lions an option who can keep the offense functional with his legs.
Bridgewater, Minnesota’s No. 32 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, had become another former Vikings quarterback living inside the division. Dobbs now inherits that role, although his four Minnesota starts produced a chaotic but entertaining chapter.
Josh Dobbs took Minnesota Vikings fans through the rise and fall of 'Dobbs-sanity'
Dobbs arrived at the 2023 trade deadline after Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles, then entered against the Atlanta Falcons when rookie Jaren Hall suffered a concussion. With only days to learn Kevin O’Connell’s offense, Dobbs threw for 158 yards, accounted for three touchdowns and completed a 31-28 win.
That performance earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. Dobbs followed it by helping Minnesota build a 27-3 lead over the New Orleans Saints, and a season that looked finished had fans reinvigorated.
The span affectionately known as “Dobbs-sanity" was short-lived. Minnesota went 1-2 over his next three starts, and O’Connell benched him during a 3-0 win over the Las Vegas Raiders after Dobbs completed 10 of 23 passes for 63 yards.
At 31, Dobbs has appeared in 27 NFL games with 15 starts, completing 62.8 percent of his passes for 3,346 yards, 17 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He’s added 515 rushing yards and eight scores. His 2,464 passing yards, 13 passing touchdowns, 421 rushing yards and six rushing scores in 2023 all remain single-season career highs.
Detroit shouldn’t need that version of Dobbs unless Goff misses time, which would be unusual for the 10-year veteran. His mobility can change the play-calling menu for offensive coordinator John Morton, while Detroit's younger quarterbacks can develop without being forced into emergency duty.
Dobbs also brings more game experience than the usual bargain backup. Minnesota fans saw both ends of that deal in five appearances, from the chaos in Atlanta to a December afternoon when neither offense could score a touchdown.
Goff’s durability should keep Dobbs on the sideline most weeks. Detroit’s $475,000 guarantee ensures he’ll be the first quarterback off it if something changes.
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