The New England Patriots are making waves this offseason with the announcement that they plan to release backup quarterback Josh Dobbs. After a diligent search for a trade partner proved unsuccessful, the 31-year-old is set to hit the free-agent market.
Dobbs, who played a supporting role behind Drake Maye during the Patriots' impressive Super Bowl LX campaign, signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the team back in March 2025. By releasing him, the Patriots will save $3.7 million against the salary cap, though they will incur $1.05 million in dead money.
The Patriots have already taken steps to solidify their quarterback depth by re-signing Tommy DeVito. DeVito, who was the third-string quarterback last season, inked a two-year, $4.4 million deal and is now poised to step up as Maye's primary backup. With only Maye and DeVito currently in the quarterback room, there's a possibility New England might look to bolster their options with another passer.
Last season, Dobbs saw limited action as Maye impressively started all 17 games. Dobbs made four appearances, completing 7 of 10 passes for 65 yards.
His journey through the NFL has been quite the odyssey since being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round back in 2017. Dobbs has donned jerseys for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings, and had a stint with the San Francisco 49ers before landing in New England.
Pittsburgh holds a special place in Dobbs' career, as he spent the most time there, playing from 2017 to 2019 and returning for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Over his nine-year career, Dobbs has played in 27 games, starting 15, with a record of 3-12. His career stats include 3,346 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, 15 interceptions, 515 rushing yards, and eight rushing touchdowns.
As Dobbs prepares for the next chapter, the Patriots continue to shape their roster, aiming to build on their recent successes.