January 6th 2025.
It's not worth dwelling on the details of the 49ers' final game of the season against the Cardinals on Sunday. The atmosphere was light-hearted, with Deebo Samuel sporting sunglasses and George Kittle playfully writing "Hi Mom!" on his tablet for the cameras. Brock Purdy and his ballcap were focused on the game plan from the sidelines.
Ultimately, the 49ers fell to the Cardinals 47-24, finishing with a record of 6-11. But it's hard not to wonder if Coach Kyle Shanahan is regretting his decision to keep Josh Dobbs behind Brandon Allen on the quarterback depth chart for most of the season, even starting Allen over Purdy in a game against Green Bay when Purdy was unable to play.
Of course, this decision wouldn't have made much of a difference in the grand scheme of things or even in Sunday's game. But despite a couple of turnovers, Dobbs showed promise as a potential backup for the 49ers in the future.
The only issue is that Dobbs is now a free agent after signing a one-year contract last offseason. It will be up to Shanahan to convince Dobbs that being the second-string quarterback for the 49ers in 2025 is a better opportunity than starting for another team that may not have the same potential for success as the 49ers.
During Sunday's game, Dobbs wasn't perfect. He had a careless fumble on the sideline and two interceptions, one of which was a remarkable catch by Sean Murphy-Bunting. But overall, he seemed comfortable running the offense and only using his legs when necessary.
"I felt good out there," Dobbs said. "I was able to read the defense before and after the snap and take advantage of their looks. I made big plays when they were available and checked it down when needed."
Dobbs had a career-high 326 yards passing, with two touchdown passes and one rushing touchdown. He didn't look like someone in a scramble drill, but rather a good fit for Shanahan's offense.
After the game, Shanahan praised Dobbs' performance but also pointed out the turnovers. It's important for the 49ers to have a reliable veteran backup, especially with Purdy's history of injuries and his upcoming contract extension.
After playing for eight different teams in eight years, Dobbs found a home with the 49ers in 2024. "What I've learned is that the best opportunities for growth are when you're out there on the field, in the fire, learning how to win games in the NFL," Dobbs said. "I haven't had many opportunities to do that, but being in the same offense all year was a great chance for me."
Staying with the 49ers, even as a backup, may be appealing to Dobbs. "I want to go to a team where I have a chance to compete, whether it's for the starting job or the backup role," he said. "I want to contribute week in and week out and be someone the team relies on."
Kittle also appreciated Dobbs' determination and eagerness to play in Sunday's game, even after Shanahan announced that Purdy wouldn't be playing. "You'll have to ask him how he thought he played," Kittle said. "But I appreciated his grit and toughness, and I think it really helped us out a lot."
Despite Dobbs' efforts, it would have been difficult for any quarterback to lead the 49ers to victory on Sunday. They were missing their starting safeties and struggled to contain Kyler Murray and the Cardinals' offense.
In fact, the 49ers haven't had a takeaway since their bye week, with a minus-14 turnover margin since then. Even Joe Montana or Steve Young would have a hard time making it to the playoffs with those numbers. So the question remains, will Dobbs be willing to accept a modest contract to stay with the 49ers for another year?
"I want a consistent environment and coaching staff, and to be the best version of myself every day," Dobbs said. "I'm excited to see where this football journey takes me in March when free agency begins."
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