Joshua Dobbs Story: Vikings 12-10 Loss to Bears Crashes Back to Earth

Former aerospace engineering student Joshua Dobbs became a Vikings' savior, but his four interceptions led to a loss and playoff hopes damage.

On Monday night, the Passtronaut, Joshua Dobbs, became a space cadet, and the Vikings suffered a disappointing loss. Dobbs, a former aerospace engineering student, defied the odds to become a midseason savior for the Vikings, but his improbable story took a turn for the worse as he threw four interceptions, leading to a second consecutive loss and a major blow to the Vikings' postseason hopes. Despite his fourth-quarter touchdown pass, the Vikings fell to the Bears with a 12-10 defeat.

The loss was costly, potentially impacting the future contracts of star players Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson. While NFL backups can perform well for a short period, it's rare for them to replace a star-caliber player for an extended period. Dobbs' weaknesses and tendencies were exploited by the Bears, who made him look like a quarterback who couldn't hold a job rather than the magician who won his first two games after being traded to the Vikings.

Dobbs' erratic play has raised questions about potential quarterback changes for the Vikings. With alternatives like Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall, who looked competent before suffering a concussion, coach Kevin O'Connell will have to weigh his options. The Vikings, now 6-6, have a bye this weekend, followed by a winnable game at Las Vegas.

Dobbs' performance on Monday was concerning, with the Vikings producing their fewest yards in a first quarter since 2019. His mobility and creativity were overshadowed by his mediocre arm strength and erratic play. With the Vikings' postseason hopes on the line, the team can't afford any more mistakes. The return of star receiver Justin Jefferson could help, but only if they have a quarterback who can get him the ball downfield.

Despite his surprising performance earlier in the season, Dobbs' struggles have put his future as the Vikings' starting quarterback in jeopardy. The team will need to carefully consider their options as they move forward in the season.