ALLEN PARK, Mich. – Joshua Dobbs has been around the NFL long enough to know how quickly things can change.
After an unusual offseason without organized team activities, Dobbs found himself back with the Detroit Lions, the team he played for in 2023.
Within roughly 30 hours of rejoining the club, he was back on the practice field and preparing for a preseason game.
“It’s been good to be back,” Dobbs said. “A lot of familiar faces, some change but not much.”
The Lions signed Dobbs to a one-year deal this week, bringing back the veteran quarterback to provide depth behind Jared Goff and Luke Altmyer.
Dobbs acknowledged that learning a new offense on short notice can be challenging, even for an experienced quarterback.
“You know the football, but you just don’t know the words,” Dobbs said.
That means quickly learning the terminology, footwork, reads and timing while also building relationships with new teammates.
Dobbs said that part of the job goes beyond simply learning the playbook.
“When you wear a red jersey, you still have to win over your team, the guys around you, and lead them,” he said.
Dobbs’ return also gives him another opportunity to work with familiar faces, including Goff and offensive coordinator Drew Petzing.
Dobbs said he has known Goff since they were teenagers after the two attended a Stanford football camp. He joked that they still give former Stanford coach David Shaw a hard time for not offering either of them.
“I think I’ve known Jared since I was 15 or 16 years old,” Dobbs said. “It’s been fun watching his career.”
Dobbs also has a history with Petzing, who is entering his first season as Detroit’s offensive coordinator. The two spent time together in Cleveland and Arizona, and Dobbs said it has been rewarding to watch Petzing develop into an offensive coordinator.
“I’ve been here 30 hours, so I don’t know how much correlation or crossover there are yet,” Dobbs said of Detroit’s offense compared with systems he has previously played in.
Dobbs said the Lions’ current offense appears to be a mix of what he remembers from his previous stint in Detroit and what Petzing has brought to the team.
The quarterback got his first practice reps with the Lions on Tuesday (Aug. 11) and completed a notable throw during a situational drill.
Still, he downplayed the significance of his first day back.
“It doesn’t do anything for me,” Dobbs said. “You’ve got to impress them with the first throw.”
Instead, Dobbs said his priority is executing what is called and avoiding unnecessary mistakes as he works to get up to speed.
He also acknowledged that there is still plenty of the offense he has yet to learn.
At one point during practice, Dobbs joked that Detroit had not installed its red-zone offense yet and suggested calling a fade route when the offense reached the six-yard line.
“We’ll get plenty of reps. We’ve got time,” Dobbs said.
Dobbs praised Petzing for his consistency and his ability to put quarterbacks in position to succeed.
He said Petzing’s communication before games is especially important because it helps quarterbacks understand not only what play is being called but why it is being called.
“That’s key as a quarterback to know why your offensive coordinator is calling the plays,” Dobbs said.
Dobbs also described Petzing as a positive and calming presence in the quarterback room.
While Dobbs is familiar with Goff and Petzing, he still has plenty of work ahead as he adjusts to the rest of the Lions’ offense and locker room.
The Lions open their preseason Thursday night against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Dobbs was asked whether he expects to play.
“Shoot. I don’t,” Dobbs said. “I was just trying to maximize today in practice.”
For now, Dobbs is focused on learning as much as possible and being prepared whenever his opportunity comes.
“I’ve been working throughout the offseason to be ready,” Dobbs said. “I’m excited to be here.”