Former Steelers QB Josh Dobbs Credits Mike Tomlin After Win
PITTSBURGH -- Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Josh Dobbs took the NFL by storm in Week 9 after stepping in for the Minnesota Vikings and leading them to victory without a single rep at practice.
Dobbs was acquired by the Vikings last week at the trade deadline after the team placed Kirk Cousins on Injured Reserve with a torn achilles. Dobbs arrived and was placed as the backup behind rookie Jaren Hall, but has to step in during the first quarter after Hall left with a concussion.
Despite not a single rep with his new teammates, Dobbs led the Vikings to a victory over the Atlanta Falcons, throwing two touchdowns and rushing for another.
Afterward, he credited his first NFL coach for his ability to step into a game with such unusual circumstances.
"First it was, Jaren [Hall], get up. I hope he is okay," Dobbs said when asked what his mindset was. "But then it was, hey, if you are playing, you gotta go out there and play. The team still expects you to go out and win and play good football. In this league, there's never an excuse for your circumstance. I learned that from Coach T."
Dobbs even compared the situation to his time behind Ben Roethlisberger when he'd have to flp the switch in a moment to get prepared to lead a team.
"I've been in similar situations backing up [Ben Roethlisberger] where he goes down, but he gets up and you're okay," Dobbs said. "Your heat drops for a second. You're warming up, but he comes back out there. But when they said it was your ball, my job was to just got out there and play good football. The same football I know how to do. I've been playing all year."
It's unknown if Dobbs will continue to be the Vikings' starter moving forward, but after being given the game ball for the win, it's hard to imagine Minnesota doesn't lean on him to continue creating a spark.
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