The Minnesota Vikings may have found a special bond with head coach Kevin O’Connell and quarterback Josh Dobbs.
Dobbs led Minnesota to a win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, November 5, just five days after the Vikings traded him to the Arizona Cardinals.
Dobbs has never tackled center Garrett Bradbury, thrown a pass to one of the team’s receivers or known the names of most of his teammates – let alone the nuances of a complex offense designed by a former quarterback -NFL quarterback in O’Connell, winner.
won the Super Bowl two years ago as offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams.
But Dobbs, a former NASA intern who earned a degree in aerospace engineering before joining the NFL, rearranged the game plan as he went along.
O’Connell is always in his ear, quickly translating his new QB’s offense.
Dobbs proved himself a quick study and led the Vikings on a game-winning drive that ended in a touchdown pass with 22 seconds remaining.
O’Connell and Dobbs embraced on the field following the emotional win.
On Tuesday, Minnesota’s head coach told SiriusXM NFL Radio what he shared with Dobbs in that moment.
“I just told him I was proud of him,” O’Connell said.
“There was a reason why we identified Josh as kind of somebody we thought could not only come and be a great part of our team, but could help us win football games when called upon.
I did not know that would be 11 snaps into his first game with us.
” Josh Dobbs Makes Academic Analogy to Explain Experience of First Start for Vikings.
Dobbs described his experience in the game, per Anthony Gharib of ESPN.
“[Like] you’re taking AP Spanish and someone told you you have an AP French exam on Sunday and you got to go execute,” Dobbs said.
“Someone’s going to talk to you in Spanish and translate it to the French.
” The QB proved himself adequately bilingual, completing 20-of-30 passes for 158 yards and 2 touchdowns.
He also rushed the ball 7 times for 66 yards and a score.
Vikings Believe in Josh Dobbs, Will Start Him Against Saints Dobbs’ individual effort is impressive and deserves all the headlines and top show billings it has received in the two days since Minnesota bested Atlanta on the road.
But the coaching staff, O’Connell in particular, deserve a vigorous tip of the cap for putting Dobbs in a position to succeed despite minimal knowledge of the playbook.
“I told him he’s in a place where we’re gonna love and support him and try and help him become the best version of himself as an NFL quarterback,” O’Connell continued on Tuesday.
“I want every guy that ever plays quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings to feel that, especially from the head coach, and just wanted him to know that in the moment.
But more than anything, just let him know how proud I was of him and what he just did to win a football game in the NFL, which is not easy to do.
” The Vikings are now 5-4 and have won four straight.
The team will host the New Orleans Saints on Sunday and announced that Dobbs will replace rookie Jaren Hall, who is currently navigating the NFL’s concussion protocol.