Josh Dobbs 'extremely prepared for the opportunity' to start Week 1 against Commanders

Last week, Josh Dobbs was a reserve NFL quarterback, tasked with backing up Deshaun Watson. He switches zip codes to Arizona and now he may be the starter for the Cardinals.

Yes, it defines football whirlwind. After the Browns abruptly traded the former Tennessee Vol to the Cardinals, Arizona management waived Colt McCoy, the presumed starter until Kyler Murray’s knee was healthy enough to play.

Now Dobbs may be the de facto starter. Rookie Clayton Tune, Arizona’s fifth-round draft pick and the former Houston Cougar, is the only other option. Although Josh Dobbs may have only have 10 days to get ready for a potential start, he’s cool with it all. It’s not like he can’t absorb the physics of an NFL offense. Check his aerospace engineering degree and perfect grade point average.

“If that is the case, I have put in a ton of work,” Josh Dobbs told reporters this week. “I have a ton of sweat equity and I am extremely prepared for the opportunity, but it doesn’t mean I’m ever complacent. . . . It’s a whirlwind. I put starting expectations on myself. I know the QB situation will play out however the coaches see fit. For me, I am ready to compete every day.”

The Cardinals social media team introduced Josh Dobbs, who potentially could be starting lots of games this year, on Wednesday as he practiced for the Commanders.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Josh Dobbs 🚀 pic.twitter.com/5QjwKzANb2

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 30, 2023

Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon still hasn’t decided on a starter, as yet. Before practice, Wednesday, he told reporters he was looking how the two dealt with “command and production.” There are other nuances he can detect while each of the quarterbacks take snaps with the first team.

“And their ability to run the huddle and make plays, and operate the way we want to operate, that we have to operate, to give us a chance to win,” Gannon said.

Josh Dobbs spent his entire NFL career quickly learning offenses on the fly. He’s played for five NFL teams since his final season with the Vols saw him earn MVP honors at the 2016 Music City Bowl. The Steelers selected him in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. And he split his time last season with three teams — the Browns, Lions and Titans. He even started two games for the Titans, including one eight days after he signed. So maybe he should start the season opener on the road against the Commanders.

Tight end Zach Ertz thinks Josh Dobbs can handle it.

“He’s smart, I think that’s well-noted,” Ertz told reporters. “He’s an astronaut or whatever he is; he’s a guy that understands football. (And) he’s got a really good grasp of this offense, so him coming into the huddle, calling the formations, calling the plays, has been seamless so far. And he throws a very catchable ball.”