Arizona Cardinals trade QB Josh Dobbs to Minnesota Vikings

Josh Dobbs, a day after the Cardinals benched him, has found a new team. Arizona is trading the quarterback to the Vikings.

This is according to Ian Rapoport with NFL Network. The Vikings are desperate for a quarterback since starter Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles during Sunday’s game against the Packers. And in securing Dobbs, Minnesota at least has a quarterback with some experience.

The #Vikings are trading for #AZCardinals QB Josh Dobbs, with plenty of starting experience, per me and @TomPelissero.

It helps make up for the loss of Kirk Cousins. And gives MIN a chance… pic.twitter.com/TUEnTemakr

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 31, 2023

We’re hoping Josh Dobbs never unpacked. Back in late August, the Browns traded Dobbs to the Cardinals, who then waived aging veteran Colt McCoy. Kyler Murray still was on injured reserve when the Cardinals secured Dobbs. So the starting job probably was only temporary.

Dobbs, the former Tennessee star, started Arizona’s first eight games. However, coach Jonathan Gannon decided to bench Dobbs on Monday. According to ESPN, the rebuilding Cardinals will go with Clayton Tune, the rookie who was quarterbacking the Houston Cougars this time a year ago.

The NFL Network also reported that the Cardinals will give Tune, a fifth-round selection, the start. Rapoport reported that, “barring a significant change,” Tune will start on the road against the Browns. Murray, the top pick of the 2019 NFL Draft, is back at practice and is likely to come off the IR by next week.

Meanwhile, the Vikings were looking for a quarterback who could guide them the rest of the season. Although Minnesota got off to a rough start, losing four of their first five games. However, the Vikings have righted their season, winning their last three games, including victories over the 49ers and the Packers, their division rival.

Cousins is out for the season with a torn Achilles, the same injury that Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered opening weekend.

Josh Dobbs is smart and he has a ton of experience playing with differing offensive systems. He’s a seven-year NFL vet with 10 career starts. Eight of them came in the first two months of 2023. The Vikings may lean on rookie Jaren Hall, the former BYU star, until Dobbs can get up to speed.

The NFL trade deadline is this afternoon at 4 p.m. Eastern.