Josh Dobbs is officially starting at quarterback for the Detroit Lions this Saturday, August 22nd, in their preseason clash against the Washington Commanders. This isn’t just a routine preseason move; it’s a huge development, especially considering Dobbs only signed with the team on August 9th and has barely gotten any real work in camp since. Talk about a fast track to the spotlight for a guy who just walked in the door!
The Rapid Ascent and the Backup Scramble
Lions coach Dan Campbell dropped the news Thursday from Allen Park: Dobbs is getting the nod. What’s truly wild is Dobbs has had “not much work” in NFL camp since getting picked up on August 9th, a direct response to Teddy Bridgewater’s unexpected retirement. Dobbs only played three second-quarter series in last week’s exhibition loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, and he’s only taken a “sprinkling of reps” in team drills this week. Yet, here he is, taking the first snaps this weekend. Starting QB Jared Goff, sticking to his trend of not playing in the preseason since 2022, is sitting this one out, putting all eyes squarely on the backup battle.
Dobbs vs. Altmyer: The Prove-It Game
So what’s the deal here for the number two spot? Campbell says the plan is for Dobbs and undrafted rookie Luke Altmyer to split reps equally against the Commanders. This is a real challenge for Dobbs, who’s been playing catch-up. Altmyer, on the other hand, has been grinding all summer, taking “the bulk of the backup reps” since Bridgewater’s sudden retirement at the start of camp. That means Altmyer has a significant lead in terms of familiarity and practice time. Campbell confirmed the competition for the backup job is still totally ongoing between these two, making this Saturday’s game absolutely critical. Every snap is an audition to prove who can be the reliable backup for the upcoming season.
Eyes on the Regular Season
This Saturday’s preseason game against the Washington Commanders is huge for both Josh Dobbs and Luke Altmyer. The Lions need to solidify that critical backup quarterback spot, especially with the regular season fast approaching. They kick off their 2026 campaign on September 13th against the Saints. Getting this QB2 decision right is essential for their overall season prospects, and Saturday’s performance will be a major factor in that call.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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