In a surprising move, the Arizona Cardinals have struck a deal with the Cleveland Browns to acquire quarterback Joshua Dobbs. The announcement of the trade was made on Thursday, adding a new chapter to the NFL offseason drama.
The trade involves a careful exchange of draft picks. The Browns will receive the 2024 fifth-round selection that originally belonged to Arizona, having come from a tampering settlement with the Philadelphia Eagles. To balance the trade, the Browns will also send their 2024 seventh-round pick to the Cardinals. However, the completion of the deal is contingent upon Dobbs passing a physical examination.
The timing of this acquisition couldn't be more interesting for the Cardinals. With star quarterback Kyler Murray still on the road to recovery from a knee injury, the addition of Joshua Dobbs brings a potential spark to their roster. While Colt McCoy, at 36 years old, had been expected to fill in during Murray's absence, Dobbs could now emerge as a strong contender for the starting role. Notably, the Cardinals' first-year offensive coordinator, Drew Petzing, had worked closely with Dobbs during his tenure as the Browns' quarterbacks coach last season.
The move raises intriguing possibilities for the Cardinals' quarterback lineup. Rookie Clayton Tune, who had been running with the second-team offense, is now likely to assume the position of third-string quarterback for the upcoming season. This change underscores the team's commitment to building a versatile and dynamic quarterback roster.
Dobbs' journey to the Cardinals started in Cleveland, where he found himself in a backup role behind Jacoby Brissett during Deshaun Watson's 11-game suspension last season. His skills came to the forefront when he was handed the starting position for two games with the Tennessee Titans. Despite the Titans' losses in both games, Dobbs displayed his potential by throwing for an impressive 411 yards and landing two touchdowns.
On the flip side, the Browns are not left without options. The rise of rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, a fifth-round pick from UCLA, has been a bright spot in their training camp. Thompson-Robinson's progress has not gone unnoticed by Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, who spoke highly of the young quarterback's strides and potential. With Dobbs' departure, Dorian Thompson-Robinson now takes up the mantle of the No. 2 quarterback behind Watson.
Interestingly, the Browns had initially announced the waiving of quarterback Kellen Mond, only to backtrack on that decision. The sudden turn of events adds another layer of intrigue to Cleveland's quarterback situation and their plans for the upcoming season.
As the NFL preseason heats up, the acquisition of Joshua Dobbs by the Arizona Cardinals adds an element of unpredictability to both teams' strategies. Fans will be closely watching how Dobbs' presence influences the Cardinals' quarterback dynamics and whether he can make a compelling case for the starting role, further intensifying the competition on the field.
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