Lions sign Josh Dobbs as backup QB after Teddy Bridgewater retires

After Teddy Bridgewater retired from the Detroit Lions, the team quickly brought in a replacement for his backup quarterback role. On August 9, the Lions signed veteran Josh Dobbs to a one-year contract, as his agent confirmed via social media. Dobbs, a fourth-round pick from Tennessee in 2017, has experience playing under Lions offensive coordinator Drew Petzing with the Cleveland Browns and Arizona Cardinals.

Over his four-year career, Dobbs has a 3-12 record as a starter, completing 62.8% of his passes, tallying eight touchdowns, and throwing five interceptions during his tenure with the Cardinals. Although he appeared in four games for the New England Patriots last season, he was primarily a backup for Arizona in 2023, appearing in eight starts under Petzing's guidance.

Lions coach Dan Campbell expressed the team's desire for a veteran backup after Bridgewater's abrupt retirement, highlighting the potential of undrafted rookie Luke Altmyer while acknowledging his need for more playing time and improvement. While the Lions have traditionally utilized minimum-contract veterans as backups to starter Jared Goff, Dobbs' addition signals a shift towards incorporating more experienced talent into the quarterback room.