SANTA CLARA — Josh Dobbs has by no means performed on the identical crew with Sam Darnold, however the 49ers’ beginning quarterback has taken discover of his path to sudden NFL stardom.
After floundering with the New York Jets and Carolina, Darnold signed with the 49ers earlier than the 2023 season to study Kyle Shanahan’s system offense in hopes of re-starting his profession elsewhere.
Dobbs did the identical factor this season.
Darnold didn’t begin for the 49ers till the common season finale final season. With Brock Purdy out with an elbow damage, Dobbs will get his first begin Sunday when the 49ers (6-10) shut out the season on the highway in opposition to Arizona (7-9).
“Sam got an opportunity and took advantage of it,” Dobbs stated Thursday. “It’s a lesson for everybody in the NFL that no matter what the opportunity is, big or small, you’ll be able to be the player you dreamed about being.”
It will likely be Dobbs’ fifteenth profession begin and first with the 49ers. Whereas Shanahan stated he thought-about Dobbs and Brandon each as No. 2, Dobbs was forward of Allen within the sport day pecking order simply twice – as backup to Purdy in Buffalo and final week in opposition to Detroit.
When Purdy sat out a 38-10 loss to Inexperienced Bay in Week 12, Allen began with Dobbs because the backup. Dobbs obtained his first motion after Purdy was injured in opposition to the Lions, finishing 3 of 4 passes for 35 yards and scoring on a 7-yard landing run.
“It’s definitely a slower pace of a year,” Dobbs stated. “It’s been interesting battling that dynamic of knowing you could be out there, and also recognizing situation and using it as a learning opportunity.”
The 49ers are the eighth NFL group for Dobbs, who was initially drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers within the fourth spherical in 2018. That very same yr, Darnold went No. 3 total to the New York Jets.
Dobbs was traded from Pittsburgh to Jacksonville in 2020, from Cleveland to Arizona earlier than the 2023 season after which from Arizona to Minnesota through the season. He’s frolicked on the observe squads of Jacksonville, Cleveland and Detroit.
After final yr’s Cleveland-Arizona-Minnesota whirlwind, the prospect to place his toes on the bottom and depart them there for a yr whereas studying Shanahan’s system was interesting, as was a one-year, $2.25 million assured contract.
“It’s been good to be in one place for a year for sure and be around the same terminology, same teammates, same coaches and get coaching within one scheme,” Dobbs stated. “I’ve enjoyed Kyle’s scheme and watching Brock play really well within that scheme.”
Tight finish George Kittle favored what he noticed in Thursday’s observe.
“He’s exciting, he can do a lot of things with his legs,” Kittle stated. “He throws a really good ball too. He was out there slicing and dicing and we had a really good third-down practice. I’m excited to play with him.”
In 14 begins for Tennessee, Arizona and Minnesota, Dobbs has handed for two,955 yards with 15 touchdowns and 13 interceptions and rushed for 503 yards. In settling in for a yr with the 49ers, Dobbs has come away with the identical appreciation of Purdy that Darnold did. Each spoke extremely of Purdy’s meticulous preparation.
“To watch how he prepares and how he segments it and sequences his approach to each play, whether it’s in the run game or pass game with the crazy looks we get every week, has been very impressive to watch,” Dobbs stated.
In final season’s finale, with Purdy being rested for the playoffs with the 49ers having the No. 1 seed, Darnold was 14 of 19 for 168 yards and a landing within the first half in opposition to the Rams en path to a 20-7 lead. The 49ers had solely 4 possessions within the second half — three punts and a misplaced fumble — and fell 21-20.
Darnold signed a one-year, $10 million contract as a spot holder for first-round draft decide J.J. McCarthy and is now in line for a megadeal with the Vikings or another person after throwing 35 landing passes for a 14-2 crew.
Whereas Dobbs stated he was “going to let free agency take care of itself” he realizes his efficiency in opposition to Arizona may have a big effect on his profession.
“Any time you get a chance to play, it’s an audition not only for the team that you’re on, but for the other 31 teams,” Dobbs stated. “It’s an opportunity to show what I can do for the 49ers in this scheme as well as other opportunities.”
Sam Darnold (14) of Minnesota greets 49ers’ quarterback and former teammate Brock Purdy after Minnesota’s 23-17 win in Week 2. Getty Photos
INJURY UPDATE
The next gamers didn’t take part in observe: cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (shoulder), sort out Spencer Burford (calf), linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (calf), Purdy (elbow), defensive finish Robert Beal Jr. (ankle), defensive finish Nick Bosa (knee), defensive finish Leonard Floyd (shoulder), left sort out Colton McKivitz (knee), and extensive receiver Deebo Samuel (rib/wrist). Kittle (ankle/hamstring) was restricted, as have been cornerback Isaac Yiadom (pelvis) and extensive receiver Ricky Pearsall (sickness, chest).
THE MAKESHIFT LINE
Line coach/run sport coordinator Chris Foerster favored what he noticed from a 49ers’ offensive line in opposition to Detroit that platooned newcomers Charlie Heck and Austen Pleasants at left sort out, with Nick Zakelj at left guard, Jake Brendel at heart, Dominick Puni at proper guard and McKivitz at left sort out.
Foerster, like Shanahan, stated it was the primary time he’d ever began a participant (Heck) who had been on one other crew’s observe squad the earlier week.
“It was a good night for us,” Foerster stated. “Kyle did a great job of calling the game in a way that took the pressure off the line. They held up decently.”
DEFENSIVE STEP BACKWARD
Heading into the finale, the 49ers have given up 389 factors – 91 factors greater than have been surrendered within the common season a yr in the past beneath one-and-done coordinator Steve Wilks.
The 49ers gave up 133 factors in opposition to their three hardest offensive foes – Inexperienced Bay (38), Buffalo (35) and Detroit (40).
Probably the most factors surrendered throughout a season within the Shanahan period was 435 in 2020 with Robert Saleh because the coordinator.
Defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen hedged when requested if there was an space the place the 49ers confirmed enchancment from Week 1 by way of Week 17, though he has been happy with the hassle total.
Communication by way of assignments has been cited by veteran gamers.
“There were times in the last four weeks when we got better but I felt we took a step back,” Sorensen stated. “There was overall inconsistency and you’re going to learn more once we really break it down.”
NOTABLE
— Kittle was named the winner of the Garry Niver Award offered to the participant by members of the Professional Soccer Writers Affiliation for his cooperation and serving to the media do their jobs. Purdy completed second and linebacker Fred Warner was third.
— Tarron Jackson, a defensive lineman initially drafted by Philadelphia who has performed 24 video games with the Eagles and Carolina, was signed to the observe squad. A sixth-round draft decide by the Eagles in 2021, Jackson was with the Philadelphia observe squad this season from Nov. 7 by way of Dec. 31.
