Josh Dobbs was not expected to be much of a factor for the Vikings in Week 9 against the Falcons after just being acquired in a trade with the Cardinals earlier in the week.
Dobbs ended up having his number called following an injury to Jaren Hall which knocked Minnesota’s starting quarterback out for the game. Despite a significant lack of preparation and having virtually no familiarity with his new team, the 28-year-old was able to lead the Vikings to an important victory.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Dobbs admitted that he didn’t even know all of his teammates’ full names. In fact, he’d never even logged a single snap with the first-string offense during practice, never thrown a pass to any of his teammates, and had never even taken a practice snap from center Garrett Bradbury.
“That’s for next week,” said Dobbs, via ESPN’s Kevin Seifert.
Josh Dobbs runs all over the field to pick up the first down!
— NFL (@NFL) November 5, 2023
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Dobbs also told reporters that when it came to running the Vikings’ offense, head coach Kevin O’Connell was explaining and “mapping out” plays for the quarterback mid-huddle, per Alec Lewis of The Athletic.
O’Connell called Dobbs’ ability to absorb that information on the fly “one of the most impressive things” he’d seen in his career.
In his first taste of action for the Vikings, Dobbs completed 20 of 30 pass attempts for 158 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning score on a six-yard pass to Brandon Powell. He also rushed for 66 yards and a touchdown.
Despite not getting in any work with the team prior to being thrust under center on Sunday, Dobbs took the unexpected opportunity in stride and helped Minnesota edge out a narrow win.
