The Vikings got quarterback Josh Dobbs and a 2024 seventh-round pick for a 2024 sixth-round pick. The Vikings have already picked the sixth round.
Things could only get better for the Vikings, who went from 1-4 to playoff contender. Which will make it worse for the Cardinals.
Really, how was the increasingly common six-seven swap the best thing the Cardinals could do for a quarterback who started eight games? Dobbs told PFT by phone after last week’s game that the Browns were also an option. How could Cleveland offer less than the Vikings ultimately gave up?
Dobbs recently said Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon told Dobbs he wouldn’t be traded. Many interpret this as an indication that Gannon is not a man of his word. The better interpretation might be that someone through Gannon made the call.
The Cardinals organization has not made winning a priority this year. That was made loud and clear during the draft when they cut receiver DeAndre Hopkins just days earlier before enjoying the flexibility of another $11 million in cap space in 2023. They didn’t need it because they would never spend it.
And since wins and losses are a non-issue for the Cardinals this year, why not expand the pool of draft picks a little next year? Even if that meant gaining 58 total yards and no points in Cleveland.
What is that? Kyler Murray is back now, so they don’t need Dobbs? Every team needs a powerful backup. There is no guarantee that Murray will stay healthy for the rest of the season. At some point they might decide he’s shown enough to make a trade after the season and stick him in bubble wrap as a soft tank at the top of the draft order. When that happens, it’s Clayton Tune’s turn again.
Regardless, Dobbs was worth more than going from seven to six in one round. It didn’t matter to the Cardinals because the organization doesn’t value winning this year.
It sounds a lot fancier than refueling. But basically it’s the same. And unless a team uses the “T” word, the NFL won’t do anything about it.