History of Joshua Dobbs in Timeline

Robert Joshua Dobbs, known as "the Passtronaut," is a quarterback in the NFL, currently playing for the New England Patriots. Drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2017 after playing college football for the Tennessee Volunteers, Dobbs has played for nine NFL teams. Notably, he has started for the Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers during his career, demonstrating his experience and adaptability within the league.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

January 26, 1995: Robert Joshua Dobbs Born

On January 26, 1995, Robert Joshua Dobbs, later nicknamed "the Passtronaut", was born. He would go on to become a professional football quarterback.

Others born on this day/year

1997: First Reception by Tennessee Quarterback Since 1997

In 2015, Dobbs's touchdown reception against Florida was the first reception by a Tennessee quarterback since 1997 when Peyton Manning caught a pass from Jamal Lewis.

2004: Passing Yards Record Since 2004

In 2013, Joshua Dobbs had the most passing yards in a freshman debut (240 yards) since 2004 when Erik Ainge (118) and Brent Schaefer (123) played against the UNLV Rebels.

2004: First Win Over Gators Since 2004

In 2016, Joshua Dobbs led the Volunteers to their first win over the Florida Gators since 2004.

2006: Most Wins Over Two-Year Span Since 2006-2007

Between 2006 and 2007, Tennessee's 18 wins with Dobbs were the most for the school over a two-year span since 2006-2007.

2007: Most Wins Over Two-Year Span Since 2006-2007

Between 2006 and 2007, Tennessee's 18 wins with Dobbs were the most for the school over a two-year span since 2006-2007.

2007: Most Wins Since 2007

In 2015, Dobbs led Tennessee to a 9-4 record, which was the most wins for the Tennessee program since 2007.

2009: First Win Over Georgia Since 2009

In 2015, Joshua Dobbs helped lead Tennessee to their first win over the Georgia Bulldogs since 2009.

2010: Tennessee Reached Bowl Game Since 2010

In 2014, Joshua Dobbs helped Tennessee reach their first bowl game since the 2010 season.

February 2013: Commitment Change to University of Tennessee

In February 2013, Joshua Dobbs changed his commitment from Arizona State University to the University of Tennessee to play college football.

2013: Freshman Season at Tennessee

In 2013, as a true freshman at the University of Tennessee, Joshua Dobbs played in five games, starting four after an injury to the starting quarterback. He completed 72 of 121 passes for 695 yards, two touchdowns, and six interceptions, while also rushing for 189 yards and a touchdown.

2014: Took Over as Tennessee's Starter

In November 2014, Joshua Dobbs took over as the starting quarterback for Tennessee after Justin Worley was injured. He recorded 192 passing yards and two rushing touchdowns against Alabama. He also had a breakout performance against South Carolina with 301 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, 166 rushing yards, and three rushing touchdowns. Against Kentucky, he had 297 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, 48 rushing yards, and a touchdown.

2015: Starting Quarterback for Tennessee

In 2015, Joshua Dobbs became the starting quarterback for Tennessee, recording 205 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, 89 rushing yards, and a rushing touchdown against Bowling Green. He also had a season-high 136 rushing yards against Florida, including a 58-yard receiving touchdown. He led Tennessee to their first win over Georgia since 2009, with 312 passing yards, three touchdowns, 118 rushing yards, and two touchdowns. Dobbs led Tennessee to a 9-4 record, the most wins since 2007.

2015: TaxSlayer Bowl MVP

In 2015, Joshua Dobbs was named the TaxSlayer Bowl MVP in Tennessee's victory over Iowa, passing for 129 yards and a touchdown and rushing for 76 yards and two touchdowns.

2016: Final Season at Tennessee

In 2016, Joshua Dobbs played his final season as Tennessee's starting quarterback, leading the team to a 20-13 overtime victory against Appalachian State. He threw three passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns at the Pilot Flying J Battle at Bristol. He helped Tennessee win against Florida for the first time since 2004. His last touchdown against #25 Georgia was a Hail Mary throw to Jauan Jennings, known as the "Dobbs-Nail Boot". Despite a 5-0 start, Tennessee finished 8-4. In a game against Texas A&M, Dobbs had a season-high 398 passing yards and one passing touchdown. He had five total touchdowns, 223 passing yards, and 190 rushing yards in a victory over Missouri, and 340 passing yards in a loss against Vanderbilt.

2016: Inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa

In 2016, Joshua Dobbs was inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa at the University of Tennessee.

2016: Music City Bowl MVP

In the final game of his Tennessee career in 2016, Dobbs led the Volunteers past Nebraska in the 2016 Music City Bowl, earning MVP honors with 291 passing yards, one passing touchdown, 118 rushing yards, and three rushing touchdowns.

2016: Victory Over Northwestern Wildcats in the 2016 Outback Bowl

The 2015 season culminated with a 45–6 victory over the #12 Northwestern Wildcats in the 2016 Outback Bowl. In the bowl game, Dobbs had two rushing touchdowns.

May 22, 2017: Signed with the Steelers

On May 22, 2017, Joshua Dobbs signed a four-year contract with the Steelers worth $2.95 million, including a signing bonus of $554,295. He was named the starter for the preseason opener against the New York Giants.

2017: Torchbearer Award

In 2017, Dobbs was presented with the Torchbearer Award by the University of Tennessee, the highest honor for an undergraduate student, which recognizes accomplishments in the community and academics. He was also recognized for possessing a 4.0 grade point average and being named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll.

2017: Drafted by Pittsburgh Steelers

In 2017, Joshua Dobbs was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round of the NFL draft after playing college football for the Tennessee Volunteers.

November 4, 2018: Completed Pass against Baltimore Ravens

On November 4, 2018, Joshua Dobbs completed a 22-yard pass to JuJu Smith-Schuster in a game against the Baltimore Ravens, after stepping in for an injured Ben Roethlisberger.

2018: 2018 Season Performance

Joshua Dobbs finished the 2018 season with 43 passing yards and an interception in five games and no starts.

September 9, 2019: Traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars

On September 9, 2019, Joshua Dobbs was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a fifth-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft after Mason Rudolph won the backup job for the Steelers.

September 5, 2020: Waived by the Jaguars

On September 5, 2020, Joshua Dobbs was waived by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

September 6, 2020: Claimed off Waivers by the Steelers

On September 6, 2020, Joshua Dobbs was claimed off waivers by the Steelers. He only appeared in one game during the 2020 season.

2020: Draft Pick Traded

On September 9, 2019, Joshua Dobbs was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a fifth-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft.

April 19, 2021: Re-signed with Steelers

On April 19, 2021, Joshua Dobbs re-signed with the Steelers on a one-year contract.

April 9, 2022: Signed with the Cleveland Browns

On April 9, 2022, Joshua Dobbs signed a one-year deal with the Cleveland Browns.

December 5, 2022: Signed to Detroit Lions Practice Squad

On December 5, 2022, Joshua Dobbs was signed to the practice squad of the Detroit Lions.

December 21, 2022: Signed by Titans Off Lions' Practice Squad

On December 21, 2022, Joshua Dobbs was signed by the Tennessee Titans off the Detroit Lions' practice squad.

March 23, 2023: Re-signed with the Browns

On March 23, 2023, Joshua Dobbs re-signed with the Cleveland Browns.

October 2023: Nickname "the Passtronaut" Gained Prominence

In October 2023, Joshua Dobbs's nickname "the Passtronaut" began to gain prominence, referring to Dobbs' background in aerospace engineering.

2023: Traded to Arizona Cardinals

In 2023, during the preseason on August 24, Joshua Dobbs was traded to the Arizona Cardinals along with a seventh-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft, in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2024 Draft. He became the starting quarterback for the Cardinals due to Kyler Murray's injury.

March 19, 2024: Signed with the San Francisco 49ers

On March 19, 2024, Joshua Dobbs signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers.

2024: Traded to Arizona Cardinals

During the 2023 preseason, Joshua Dobbs was traded to the Arizona Cardinals along with a seventh-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft, in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2024 Draft.