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Allen Park — Never before in his career has Josh Dobbs sat at home during OTAs.
But that's where the veteran quarterback found himself this offseason, left unsigned until Monday, when the Detroit Lions brought him in following Teddy Bridgewater's unexpected retirement. Dobbs, previously with the Patriots, inked a two-year deal with New England in March 2025 but was released earlier this year on March 23, nearly two weeks after free agency opened and roles around the league began getting filled.
"It was a weird offseason ... and that was just by the nature of my situation in New England with the timing. ... I've been working throughout the offseason to be ready," Dobbs said Tuesday after his second practice back with the Lions. "Just stepping in and getting accustomed to your teammates, the timing, the rhythm, the nature of the offense, and going from there."
Dobbs has been with the Lions before, signed to Detroit's practice squad in December 2022. It was a brief stay, however, with Dobbs leaving for the active roster of the Tennessee Titans 16 days later. Still, his limited time with the Lions, coupled with his overlapping history with new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, should put him at an advantage.
"A lot of familiar faces," Dobbs said of returning to the Lions. "Some change, but not much. I've really enjoyed that, being able to at least know where everything is as you get your feet under you to get ready to practice and get ready for this upcoming week. It's been good to be back."
Dobbs has played in 27 games over his nine seasons in the NFL, completing 62.8% of his passes for 3,346 yards and 17 touchdowns while also throwing 15 interceptions. His record as a starter is 3-13. In 2023, Dobbs started eight games for the Arizona Cardinals with Petzing as his offensive coordinator.
Petzing was also Dobbs' quarterbacks coach with the Cleveland Browns in 2022.
"Consistent. Super consistent," Dobbs said of Petzing. "Very to the point, but very positive. I've enjoyed that. That's what I've enjoyed the most about having the opportunity to play with him. ... When he's in there, he's a very calming presence in the QB room. I enjoy always hearing his football point of view."
Starting quarterback Jared Goff and Dobbs go way back, having known one another for about 15 years. Dobbs, eventually landing at Tennessee, was rated by the 247Sports Composite as the No. 13 quarterback nationally in the Class of 2013. Goff, who played at Cal, was No. 21.
Still working to learn the playbook, Dobbs isn't sure if he'll play in Thursday's preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, saying, "We'll all find out together in a couple days." In the meantime, he'll do all he can to familiarize himself with the offense, as well as his new teammates and coaches, some old, some new.
"I was thinking about it today. It's like you know the football, but you just don't know the words," said Dobbs, who has plenty of experience acclimating to new situations, playing for nine different teams in his career. "It's kind of just getting the right connotation to the plays and the footwork and the reads, and then obviously meeting new people, new teammates. ... You still have to win over your team, the guys around you, and lead them.
"I'm gaining that respect by coming in and working, starting in the QB room with JG and then throughout the rest of the team. I'm excited, it'll be a good opportunity."
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@rich_silva18
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: QB Josh Dobbs happy to be around 'a lot of familiar faces' with Lions
Continue reading...
But that's where the veteran quarterback found himself this offseason, left unsigned until Monday, when the Detroit Lions brought him in following Teddy Bridgewater's unexpected retirement. Dobbs, previously with the Patriots, inked a two-year deal with New England in March 2025 but was released earlier this year on March 23, nearly two weeks after free agency opened and roles around the league began getting filled.
"It was a weird offseason ... and that was just by the nature of my situation in New England with the timing. ... I've been working throughout the offseason to be ready," Dobbs said Tuesday after his second practice back with the Lions. "Just stepping in and getting accustomed to your teammates, the timing, the rhythm, the nature of the offense, and going from there."
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Dobbs has been with the Lions before, signed to Detroit's practice squad in December 2022. It was a brief stay, however, with Dobbs leaving for the active roster of the Tennessee Titans 16 days later. Still, his limited time with the Lions, coupled with his overlapping history with new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, should put him at an advantage.
"A lot of familiar faces," Dobbs said of returning to the Lions. "Some change, but not much. I've really enjoyed that, being able to at least know where everything is as you get your feet under you to get ready to practice and get ready for this upcoming week. It's been good to be back."
Dobbs has played in 27 games over his nine seasons in the NFL, completing 62.8% of his passes for 3,346 yards and 17 touchdowns while also throwing 15 interceptions. His record as a starter is 3-13. In 2023, Dobbs started eight games for the Arizona Cardinals with Petzing as his offensive coordinator.
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Petzing was also Dobbs' quarterbacks coach with the Cleveland Browns in 2022.
"Consistent. Super consistent," Dobbs said of Petzing. "Very to the point, but very positive. I've enjoyed that. That's what I've enjoyed the most about having the opportunity to play with him. ... When he's in there, he's a very calming presence in the QB room. I enjoy always hearing his football point of view."
Starting quarterback Jared Goff and Dobbs go way back, having known one another for about 15 years. Dobbs, eventually landing at Tennessee, was rated by the 247Sports Composite as the No. 13 quarterback nationally in the Class of 2013. Goff, who played at Cal, was No. 21.
Still working to learn the playbook, Dobbs isn't sure if he'll play in Thursday's preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, saying, "We'll all find out together in a couple days." In the meantime, he'll do all he can to familiarize himself with the offense, as well as his new teammates and coaches, some old, some new.
"I was thinking about it today. It's like you know the football, but you just don't know the words," said Dobbs, who has plenty of experience acclimating to new situations, playing for nine different teams in his career. "It's kind of just getting the right connotation to the plays and the footwork and the reads, and then obviously meeting new people, new teammates. ... You still have to win over your team, the guys around you, and lead them.
"I'm gaining that respect by coming in and working, starting in the QB room with JG and then throughout the rest of the team. I'm excited, it'll be a good opportunity."
[email protected]
@rich_silva18
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: QB Josh Dobbs happy to be around 'a lot of familiar faces' with Lions
Continue reading...
