The New England Patriots plan to release backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs, sources confirmed to ESPN. Dobbs, 31, served as the No. 2 quarterback behind Drake Maye during the 2025 season, earning a base salary of $3.2 million with a $4.75 million cap hit. The decision comes after the Patriots signed Tommy DeVito to a two-year, $4.4 million deal.

DeVito's contract includes incentives that could push its value to $7.4 million, making him a more cost-effective option at $2.2 million annually compared to Dobbs' $3.2 million base. The team now projects to promote DeVito from the No. 3 role to backup quarterback behind Maye. A new No. 3 quarterback is expected to be added later in the offseason.

Dobbs' most notable moment with the Patriots came in a 31-13 win over the Titans when Maye exited with a potential concussion. Dobbs completed a key third-down pass before Maye returned, helping secure the victory. However, Dobbs appeared in just four games last season, mostly to kneel out victories. The move reflects the Patriots' shift toward younger, cheaper quarterback depth as they build around their franchise quarterback.