Rotating QBs: Bridgewater Out, Dobbs In

Teddy Bridgewater retires, Josh Dobbs joins the Lions

Information sourced from: Pro Football Reference, Mike Garofalo on X

The Lions had to make unexpected changes to the backup quarterback position with the loss of Teddy Bridgewater to retirement (again). Immediately it seemed as though the Lions were placed in a precarious spot. However the Lions answered and immediately corrected their backup situation.

Enter Josh Dobbs

The Lions proceeded to sign journeyman quarterback Josh Dobbs to step into the Bridgewater role. Dobbs was signed to a 1 year, 1.425 million dollar contract with 475k fully guaranteed. This immediately puts to rest the question at backup, and calms the fears of some fans that Luke Altmyer will be thrust immediately into a backup role with very little experience.

Dobbs has been around the league and played for many teams, most recently the New England Patriots. Dobbs overlapped with Lions offensive coordinator Drew Petzing in Arizona in 2023, starting 8 games (1-7-0 record), completing 167 passes on 266 attempts for 1569 yards and 8 touchdowns. While this play isn’t stellar, I don’t think that is what you expect out of a backup per-se. You want a backup who can come in and play 1-3 series and keep the wheels on a game if Goff gets dinged. If Goff goes down long term, the reality is, Bridgewater or Dobbs likely aren’t going to be winning those games.

Truthfully, Dobbs isn’t my favorite choice for the job, I would have preferred Jimmy Garoppolo. However, there are plenty of other QBs that I didn’t want in the job (if I never see Jeff Driskel in a Lions uniform again it will be too soon). Having a QB who is likely familiar with the terminology of Petzing’s offense and can jump right in and get going is the best case scenario. He also can provide that mentoring guidance to younger players, and maybe he has learned a thing or two he can pass on to Altmyer. At the end of the day the Lions made a safe choice, for better or for worse.