Josh Dobbs has been traded to Arizona. Phil Masturzo / USA TODAY NETWORK

Cardinals trade for veteran QB who could be Week 1 starter

By Adam Gretz | Last updated 8/25/23

The Arizona Cardinals are cornering the NFL's trade market on Thursday afternoon.

After dealing safety and former first-round pick Isaiah Simmons to the New York Giants, they followed that up by dealing veteran offensive lineman Josh Jones to the Houston Texans. But the deals did not stop there, and their third trade of the day saw them add another veteran quarterback to the mix.

The Cardinals acquired veteran Josh Dobbs and a 2024 seventh-round draft pick from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a 2024 fifth-round draft pick.

Browns trading QB Josh Dobbs and a 2024 7th-round pick to the Cardinals for a 2024 5th-round pick. (via @TomPelissero) pic.twitter.com/kYjpTHnDVC
— NFL (@NFL) August 24, 2023

Earlier in the day, it seemed as if Dobbs had secured the backup spot in Cleveland behind Deshaun Watson, but this trade would seem to push rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson into that spot following a strong preseason showing. The Browns also waived Kellen Mond earlier in the day.

Dobbs was originally a fifth-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2017 and has appeared in eight games in his career. He started two for the Tennessee Titans late in the 2022 season. Overall he has completed 50 of 85 passes for 456 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. He is also a very mobile quarterback and has rushed for 75 yards on 14 attempts.

It is a noteworthy deal for the Cardinals. With regular starter Kyler Murray still sidelined and not expected to be ready for the beginning of the season, the team has yet to announce an opening day quarterback. Veteran Colt McCoy and rookie Clayton Tune have been in that competition. However, adding another veteran would seem to indicate the Cardinals are not exactly thrilled with where that competition stands.

Murray is going to return at some point, and with Dobbs now in the mix, that would leave the Cardinals with four quarterbacks.

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