Tennessee quarterback Josh Dobbs has spent more time starring in Progressive commercials than playing quarterback in his first season with the San Fransisco 49ers.
But as the 2024-25 regular season comes to a close this weekend, Dobbs is preparing for his first start of the season. 49ers head coach Kyle Shannahan announced that Dobbs would start for San Fransisco in place of the injured Brock Purdy for Sunday’s regular-season finale against Arizona.
Dobbs has played in just one game this season, coming in for Purdy on Monday Night Football against Detroit. The eighth-year NFL veteran completed three-of-four passes for 35 yards while scrambling for a seven-yard touchdown in the loss.
The 2024 season is Dobbs’ eighth in the NFL and the former Tennessee quarterback has been quite the journeyman, spending time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings and now the 49ers.
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The 2023-24 season is where Dobbs cemented himself as a strong backup quarterback option. He started the final two games of the 2022-23 season for the Tennessee Titans and then Arizona traded for Dobbs before the 2023-24 season when it was clear that starter Kyler Murray would miss the first half of the season due to injury.
Dobbs started eight games for the Cardinals before the Vikings traded for him after Kirk Cousins suffered a season-ending injury. The dual-threat quarterback started five games for the Vikings before they benched him.
In 13 games last season, Dobbs completed 63% of his passes for 2,468 yards, 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He added 421 rushing yards and six rushing touchdown.
The 49ers have little to play for in their regular season finale. After going to the Super Bowl a season ago, San Fransisco has struggled this season and enters week 18 with a 6-10 record and eliminated from making the playoffs. Arizona is a game better at 7-9 but also has no chance of making the playoffs.
