Suddenly, the Vikings were without their $35 million quarterback as well as Justin Jefferson, who injured his hamstring against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 5. Minnesota had recovered from an 0-3 start and couldn’t tank with a 4-4 record. Adofo-Mensah listened to Creed as a tribute to Cousins while he worked the phones, trying to find his next quarterback.
Nick Mullens had a lower back injury, and the Vikings had just drafted Jaren Hall in the fifth round. The Vikings needed someone affordable with experience. Who better than Joshua Dobbs, who Adofo-Mensah knew from his time in Cleveland? The Arizona Cardinals benched him after he went 1-7 as a starter to begin the season. All it took was swapping their sixth-round pick for Arizona’s seventh-rounder, and Minnesota had quarterback depth.
“Josh gives us an experienced player who’s started some games, not only this year but last year, and has played some good football against some of the best defenses in our league,” Kevin O’Connell said immediately after the trade. “He’s found ways to move the ball. He brings a level of athleticism to go with great football intelligence. He’s a smart player, and I have always loved what he’s all about. He’s played in a variety of offenses, and I know he’s excited to get going here.”
Dobbs practiced in Minnesota for the first time on Thursday, November 2. He had just settled into his house in Phoenix a week ago. Dobbs began the year as Cleveland’s backup quarterback, but they traded him to the Cardinals, where he had an opportunity to start. It was a good football opportunity, even if it created chaos in his life. Dobbs’ possessions had just arrived in Arizona. His family watched him make his final start in Glendale before Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon announced that Kyler Murray or Clayton Tune would start their next game. Dobbs was practicing in Eagan less than a week later.
“At this point,” Dobbs said, “you’re not too surprised about anything.”
The Vikings tried to set reasonable expectations for Dobbs. They named Hall the starter in Atlanta and gave him all the first-team reps, hoping the rookie would gel enough with the starters to win on the road. Perhaps Dobbs would start the next game at home against the New Orleans Saints, but there were no guarantees. Minnesota brought him in to give themselves options. They weren’t committed to anything after the Atlanta Falcons game.
