Patriots release Joshua Dobbs

The New England Patriots have released quarterback Joshua Dobbs, the team announced Monday.

Dobbs, 31, spent the 2025 season as the backup to rookie starter Drake Maye. He was set to earn a $3.2 million base salary in 2026, with a total cap hit of $4.75 million. His contract also included per-game roster bonuses and a workout incentive.

The move follows New England’s decision to bring back Tommy DeVito on a two-year deal. Although DeVito had not been tendered as a restricted free agent, he ultimately re-signed on a contract with a $4.4 million base value that could rise to $7.4 million through incentives.

With DeVito now on a more team-friendly deal, he’s expected to step into the No. 2 quarterback role behind Maye. The Patriots are likely to add another passer later in the offseason to fill out the depth chart.

Dobbs’ most notable moment in New England came during a 31–13 win over the Tennessee Titans on October 19. After Maye briefly exited the game for a concussion evaluation, Dobbs stepped in and converted a key third down with a 12-yard completion to DeMario Douglas. Maye soon returned and led a touchdown drive that helped seal the victory.

Overall, Dobbs appeared in four games for New England, primarily in limited situations late in contests.