With starting quarterback Brock Purdy dealing with an elbow injury, Joshua Dobbs is set to make his first start of the 2024 season in San Francisco's season-finale against the Arizona Cardinals.
It's an opportunity that the 49ers journeyman QB is looking to take advantage of on Sunday.
"Anytime you get a chance to get on the field and play it's always an audition, not only for the team that you're on, but for the other 31 teams," Dobbs said Thursday, via the Associated Press. "Especially knowing my contract situation and being a free agent in March. So it's an opportunity to go out and show what I can do here as a 49er in this scheme as well as for other opportunities. I kind of let free agency and all that stuff work itself out when that time comes, but I'm just excited for the opportunity to get on the field and play."
Purdy suffered the injury in the 49ers' Week 17 loss to the Detroit Lions in the fourth quarter. In relief, Dobbs completed three of four passes for 35 yards, including a 7-yard rushing TD.
Around this time last year, Dobbs had already suited up for three teams (Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings). He began the 2023 preseason with the Browns before he was traded to Arizona before Week 1. He started the Cardinals' first eight games and went 1-7.
However, his services were needed elsewhere with Kirk Cousins suffering an Achilles injury. Minnesota traded for Dobbs, he had an eye-popping debut in a win against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9. After his Vikings debut, Dobbs went 2-2 as a starter and had inconsistent outings.
This offseason, he signed with the 49ers after San Francisco saw backup Sam Darnold agree to terms with the Vikings.
Now, with a chance to make an impression and have some new film, Dobbs is enjoying the process of being with one team for a change.
"I don't feel like a different guy, but it's been good to be in one place for the year for sure and be around the same terminology, same teammates, same coaches and just get consistent coaching within one scheme," Dobbs said. "So I've enjoyed that."
Dobbs will get an opportunity to showcase his talents in Sunday's season finale against the Cardinals at 4:25 p.m. ET.
