49ers Sign former Steelers Quarterback Josh Dobbs

The San Francisco 49ers have agreed to a one-year contract with former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Josh Dobbs for the 2024 season, according to his agent, Mike McCartney.

Dobbs split the 2023 season between the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings and earned the most extensive playing time of his NFL career.

The 29-year-old former Steelers fourth-round pick played in only six games over five seasons with the Steelers from 2017-21. In 2022, he made his first career start, one of two that season in relief of injured starter Ryan Tannehill.

Last fall, Dobbs was in training camp with the Cleveland Browns when a strong preseason performance convinced the Cardinals to trade for him on the eve of the regular season and make him their starter, sending a seventh-round pick to Cleveland to get him.

Dobbs made eight starts in Arizona, throwing 266 times and competing 167 (62.8%) for 1,569 yards (5.9 yards per attempt), eight touchdowns, five interceptions and an 81.2 passer rating.

With injured Arizona starter Kyler Murray nearing a return, the Cardinals traded Dobbs and a seventh-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings for a sixth-round pick at the NFL trade deadline. In Minnesota, Dobbs replaced injured starter Kirk Cousins, entering his first game with the Vikings before he even learned his teammates’ names.

He played in five more games in Minnesota, maintaining a 62.9% completion percentage, 5.9 yards per attempt and a 76.4 passer rating.

In San Francisco, Dobbs will back up Brock Purdy, after 2023 reserve Sam Darnold signed as a free agent to replace Cousins as the starter in Minnesota.

The contract between Dobbs and the 49ers is for one year and a fully guaranteed $2.25 million that also includes $750,000 in potential incentives.