Josh Dobbs primed for big payday as Kirk Cousins decision looms for Vikings
At the halfway mark of the 2023 NFL season, quarterback Josh Dobbs has already endured a whirlwind campaign for the ages.
From going through training camp with the Browns to starting eight games for the Cardinals to rallying the Vikings to a comeback victory just five days after being acquired at the trade deadline, it's been a rollercoaster journey for Dobbs.
Nonetheless, his ability to rise to the occasion during adverse times should secure the journeyman signal-caller a significant payday this offseason.
One AFC executive informed ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that Dobbs is destined for "pretty good money" on his next deal as a 2024 free agent. According to the exec, Dobbs has solidified himself as a "high-level No. 2" quarterback who can also serve as a spot starter if needed.
Dobbs isn't the only quarterback on Minnesota's roster who will seek substantial compensation this offseason.
Kirk Cousins, who was having the best season of his career — ranking second in the NFL in passing yards (2,331) — before suffering a torn Achilles in Week 8, is set to hit free agency in March. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, "a return to Minnesota should be considered a viable solution" for Cousins, who won't be fully recovered by the time teams are eligible to make contract offers.
Dobbs has been a nice story this season, but Minnesota would be wise not to hitch their future to a quarterback with a 1-9 career record. In the best-case scenario, the Vikings re-sign both quarterbacks, giving the team a premier signal-caller in Cousins and a high-end QB2 in Dobbs to back up a 35-year-old starter coming off injury.
Ultimately, paying both players could prove too steep for the Vikings, who have star wideout Justin Jefferson's mega contract extension looming. Unless the Vikings plan to maneuver their way up the draft board to secure a blue-chip quarterback prospect, re-signing Cousins should be the top priority.
As for Dobbs, he should settle in nicely as a stop-gap solution for a team looking to develop a young quarterback in the wing — not a bad gig for Dobbs, who had attempted just 17 passes in the NFL before last season.
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