NFL journeyman and VFL Josh Dobbs has played on a lot of teams during his professional career, but he’s never had the honor of being able to suit up for a Super Bowl. That all could change if the New England Patriots can defeat the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship this Sunday afternoon.
Dobbs has been the backup quarterback to New England starter Drake Maye during the 2025 season. He’s seen action in four games, throwing for 65 yards on 7-of-10 passing throughout the season. He’s also racked up 10 rushing yards on four attempts. Dobbs’ services haven’t been called upon all too often this season, but the Broncos’ current quarterback situation and the injury to Bo Nix are a reminder that anyone’s number could be called at any moment.
If the Patriots are able to defeat the Broncos this Sunday afternoon in Denver, Dobbs will be headed to his first Super Bowl since joining the league in 2018. In fact, he’ll be suiting up for a conference championship game for the first time in his career this weekend.
Dobbs spent the 2024 season as a backup quarterback with the San Francisco 49ers, but the team had a down year and only went 6-11 while losing seven of their final eight games down the stretch. The 49ers did not make the playoffs with a well-below .500 record.
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Dobbs’ best career year came in 2023 when he played for both the Arizona Cardinals and the Minnesota Vikings. Dobbs played eight games with Arizona and threw for 266 yards with eight touchdowns, five interceptions, and three rushing touchdowns. He was then traded to Minnesota and played in five games with the Vikings. While with Minnesota, Dobbs threw for 151 yards with five touchdowns, five interceptions, and three rushing scores.
Dobbs was drafted 135th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2017 after spending four seasons at the University of Tennessee from 2013 to 2016. He went 22-15 during his time with the Vols, throwing for 7,138 yards, 53 touchdowns, and 29 interceptions. He also ran the ball for 2,160 yards and 34 touchdowns.
The 1-seed Denver Broncos will host the 2-seed New England Patriots and backup quarterback Josh Dobbs at Mile High Stadium at 3:00 p.m. ET on Sunday afternoon. With the Broncos’ injury to quarterback Bo Nix, the Patriots have jumped out as a 5.5-point favorite in the AFC title game. Denver is certainly not dead yet, though, with one of the best defenses in the league this season.
