Opinions Split on Cardinals Decision to Trade Joshua Dobbs

The Arizona Cardinals dealt Joshua Dobbs at the trade deadline - and trade grades are in order.

ARIZONA -- The NFL's trade deadline has officially come and gone, and though the Arizona Cardinals were expected to be major sellers as October comes to a close, it was a surprise player who ended up being moved.

The Cardinals sent Joshua Dobbs packing in a deal that involved the quarterback and a seventh-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a sixth-round pick. Picks reportedly have conditions on them that can be elevated based on playing time. 

Dobbs featured in eight games for Arizona before being dethroned as the starter by Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon yesterday.

Now, Dobbs' short tenure in the desert has officially concluded, and there's varying opinions on Arizona's decision to move on from him.

National grades for Arizona's side of the deal:

CBS Sports: D

Bryan DeArdo: "This was a meh trade for Arizona. While a sixth-round pick is something, one would think that the Cardinals could have gotten more for a quarterback who had very recently been a starter. The fact that the Cardinals had to include one of their own picks makes it that much worse. 

"Arizona may have been wiser to keep Dobbs given the fact that Tune is a rookie who has taken just one career regular season snap. Kyler Murray's expected return likely contributed to the Cardinals being willing to part with Dobbs. Either way, the Cardinals should have gotten more out of this deal."

The Vikings received an "A" for the move. 

Sports Illustrated: B

Matt Verderame: "As for the Cardinals (1–7), this was a smart move. General manager Monti Ossenfort is trying to stockpile picks, and although this is just moving up a bit on Day 3, it’s still more ammunition in a potential trade.

"On Monday, coach Jonathan Gannon stated the Cardinals would either be starting Clayton Tune or Murray this weekend against the Browns, making Dobbs destined for the bench. Now, Arizona gets a bit of value instead."

Sporting News: B+

Jacob Camenker: "As for the Cardinals, Dobbs was a nice rental for them, but with Kyler Murray due back soon, he was merely a backup on their depth chart. They are now moving up to the sixth round from the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft while also getting a chance to see what rookie Clayton Tune can do as Murray prepares to return. That seems like a rock-solid maneuver for the team as they assess their future at the quarterback position."

USA Today: C-

Christian D'Andrea: "The Dobbs era was fun while it lasted, and we’ll always have that one weird, glorious win over the Cowboys. Arizona acquired Dobbs and a seventh round pick for a fifth-rounder, then dealt him along with a seventh round selection for a sixth-rounder. Was half a season of below-average quarterback play worth sliding back a round on Day 3?

"Probably not, but the Cardinals are in the business of losing games in 2023 and pumping up that draft spot. Dobbs got it done and was fun to watch throughout roughly half his Glendale tenure. For that, we salute him."