Josh Dobbs, the former Vikings quarterback who grabbed headlines last November, has agreed to a one-year contract with the 49ers, as announced by his agent Mike McCartney on Monday. The deal, disclosed by NFL Network, guarantees $2.25 million with an additional $750K in playing time incentives. However, this amount might not be significant enough to influence the compensatory pick formula.
This move appears promising for Dobbs, as he will now be working under Kyle Shanahan’s guidance. He is likely to compete for the backup position behind Brock Purdy, a role previously held by Sam Darnold, now with the Vikings. Presently, Brandon Allen is the other quarterback on the roster for the 49ers.
Dobbs, at 29 years old, made waves nationwide when he led the Vikings to victories over the Falcons and Saints in his initial two appearances after being traded from the Cardinals to fill in for an injured Kirk Cousins. His background in aerospace engineering, coupled with his winding career journey and dynamic dual-threat performances, made for an engaging narrative. However, his success was short-lived, and he found himself replaced by Nick Mullens a few weeks later.
To recap his story from our unrestricted free agent profile:
During the 2023 NFL season, Josh Dobbs briefly captivated the league. Acquired by the Vikings to substitute for the injured Kirk Cousins, Dobbs found himself on his third team in three months and his fifth in two years. Shortly after arriving in Minnesota, he was unexpectedly thrust into action against the Falcons when Jaren Hall suffered an injury in the first quarter. Despite his unfamiliarity with the playbook, Dobbs orchestrated an astonishing comeback victory, throwing two touchdowns and rushing for another, all while being guided by Kevin O’Connell through the headset.
The following week, Dobbs continued his stellar performance with two more touchdowns in the first half as the Vikings secured a commanding lead over the Saints, ultimately clinching their fifth consecutive win. He garnered the nickname “The Passtronaut” and became the talk of the nation. However, his success was short-lived. Although he made history in a game against the Broncos, cracks began to show in subsequent matches, leading to his benching after a lackluster showing against the Raiders.
Perhaps with the 49ers, Dobbs will have another opportunity to shine on the field.
