Vikings Trade: Cardinals QB Josh Dobbs Acquisition Grades a B

The Minnesota Vikings trade for quarterback Josh Dobbs, adding a potential big-play machine to their offense for a low-ball deal.

In a significant blow to the team, the Minnesota Vikings have acquired quarterback Josh Dobbs from the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for a sixth-round pick and a potential conditional sixth-round pick. This trade has implications not only for the team but also for head coach Kevin O'Connell, whose offensive system was a perfect fit for former quarterback Kirk Cousins.

Dobbs, a fourth-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2017, has already found himself on his seventh NFL team. He was traded from the Cleveland Browns to the Cardinals just before the start of the 2023 season. Due to Kyler Murray's injury, Dobbs quickly became Arizona's starting quarterback.

This season, Dobbs has shown promise, completing 167 of 266 passes for 1,569 yards, eight touchdowns, five interceptions, and a passer rating of 81.2. Notably, he has excelled in throwing deep passes, completing 11 of 30 passes of 20 or more air yards for 328 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions, resulting in a passer rating of 100.4.

One particular highlight of Dobbs' performance was a 33-yard pass to receiver Michael Wilson against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 4. Dobbs displayed excellent timing and accuracy, complementing Wilson's vertical double move with a well-placed throw.

However, Dobbs has struggled in the intermediate level of a defense, with all five of his interceptions this season occurring on throws of 10-19 air yards. While the Vikings may have been seeking a conservative quarterback, they appear to have acquired a player with the potential to make big plays both through his arm and as a runner. This presents a challenge for O'Connell and his coaching staff, as they will need to rein in Dobbs' riskier tendencies. An interception against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 8 exemplified this issue, as it was one of two interceptions thrown by Dobbs in that game.

Despite these concerns, the Vikings have likely made a significant acquisition, obtaining a quarterback at a relatively low cost who has the potential to keep the team in contention for the postseason. However, it is crucial to understand Dobbs' current skill set and limitations as he navigates this stage of his career.