Josh Dobbs, a former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback, has signed a contract with the Detroit Lions, marking the latest stop in a career that has taken him from college stardom to the NFL’s practice squads and active rosters.
After being released by the New England Patriots following the 2022 season, where he served as the team’s third‑string quarterback and helped the club finish second in the AFC East, a placement that culminated in a Super Bowl loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Dobbs found himself back on the free‑agent market.
Dobbs’ NFL résumé also includes starting assignments with the Tennessee Titans and the Arizona Cardinals, giving him a breadth of experience that the Lions hope will translate into a reliable backup presence behind Jared Goff.
Backup Battle in Detroit
The Lions have earmarked the preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals as the first opportunity for Dobbs to showcase his abilities, a game that will also feature rookie quarterback Luke Altmyer, who previously led the Illinois Fighting Illini to a victory over Tennessee in the Music City Bowl.
With Goff widely recognized as one of the league’s top‑10 quarterbacks, the competition for snaps will be intense, but Dobbs brings a proven track record of adapting to different offensive schemes and delivering in clutch moments.
The signing underscores the Lions’ strategy of building depth at the quarterback position as they aim for a strong showing in the 2023 season.