In somewhat of a surprise move Tuesday, the Arizona Cardinals are trading No. 1 quarterback Josh Dobbs to the Minnesota Vikings.
Arizona also sent a conditional seventh-round pick in next year’s NFL draft to the Vikings, in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2024. The deal, made ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, is pending Dobbs passing a physical exam.
It’s been a whirlwind of the last few days for the Cardinals and the quarterback position, with Dobbs starting and playing all of this past Sunday’s game, a 31-24 loss to the Baltimore Ravens at home. After the game, head coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed that Dobbs would get another start this coming Sunday at Cleveland, even though Dobbs struggled throughout much of the game and threw two interceptions, continuing a dip in his play and productivity as a passer though he ran the ball well.
But on Monday, Gannon announced he’d changed his thinking and instead would turn to Kyler Murray if the franchise quarterback is deemed ready to play for the first time since last December when he injured a knee and was lost for the rest of 2022. Gannon also said rookie Clayton Tune is a possibility.
Josh Dobbs trade grades:Arizona Cardinals should have gotten more from Minnesota Vikings
Joshua Dobbs #9 of the Arizona Cardinals attempts a pass during the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at State Farm Stadium on Oct. 29, 2023, in Glendale, Arizona.
Then came Tuesday’s trade, and Dobbs went from starting quarterback to gone to another team in less than 48 hours. Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon doesn’t normally speak with local media on Tuesdays, but he said the trade came together over the last few days.
“Just want to thank Josh for his contributions. You know, he came in, battled. He’s an ultimate pro, what he did for us and our team, can’t thank him enough,” Gannon said. “Josh is excited for the opportunity to go to Minnesota and go play.”
Dobbs, who came to the Cardinals in a trade in late August with the preseason winding down, started all eight games for Arizona this season and threw eight touchdown passes with five interceptions. He had a 62.8 completion percentage and threw for 1,569 yards.
With Dobbs out of the mix for this week after Gannon’s Monday announcement, there was speculation that he could be moved. The Vikings were in need of quarterback help after Kirk Cousins was lost with an Achilles injury last Sunday.
For Arizona, there remains a decision to be made on who starts this Sunday, be it Murray or Tune. And Gannon said the team is looking to bring in another quarterback to have depth.
Jeff Driskel was released from the practice squad earlier this month but could be brought back.
