FOXBOROUGH, MASS. — The New England Patriots released backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs on Monday, cutting ties with the veteran after striking out on the trade market. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport broke the news, confirming what many inside the league suspected the moment New England re-signed Tommy DeVito. The Patriots release Joshua Dobbs to free up valuable cap space, officially handing the keys to the QB2 locker over to DeVito as the franchise gears up for another Super Bowl push.
The Cold Hard Math of the Quarterback Room
You can almost feel the chill in the air when the business side of the NFL collides with a player’s tenure. Dobbs brought immense intelligence to the Patriots’ quarterback room, but he carried a heavy price tag for a guy holding a clipboard. He was slated to earn a base salary of $3.2 million with a hefty $4.75 million cap hit in 2026.
The front office looked at the balance sheet and made a ruthless, yet logical, calculation. Releasing Dobbs saves New England $3.7 million against the cap, leaving behind just over $1 million in dead money. Dobbs played in only four games for New England last season, largely stepping in to kneel the ball at the end of blowouts. The Patriots needed flexibility to surround second-team All-Pro Drake Maye with weapons, and Dobbs became the odd man out.
“Tommy Cutlets” Gets the Promotion
Just a few weeks ago, the Patriots handed Tommy DeVito a fresh two-year deal with a base value of $4.4 million, featuring incentives that could push the total to $7.4 million. NFL teams don’t hand out that kind of cash to a third-stringer. DeVito earned his stripes, taking the Giants on a wild run a few years back, and he impressed the Patriots’ coaching staff enough to leapfrog a seasoned veteran.
DeVito brings grit, mobility, and a certain swagger to the sidelines. Maye stayed incredibly healthy throughout New England’s recent Super Bowl run, so DeVito might only see action in the preseason or during garbage time. But in the brutal gauntlet of the AFC East, having a reliable backup who doesn’t blink under pressure is cheap insurance.
“The Patriots are planning to release backup QB Josh Dobbs, sources say, after being unable to find a trade partner. Dobbs is now slated to be free.”
— Ian Rapoport, NFL Network
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
This move is entirely about maximizing roster depth for a deep January run. By clearing Dobbs’ salary off the books, the Patriots reload their war chest to target offensive line help or a rotational pass rusher in free agency. They aren’t just trying to win the division; they are trying to get back to the Super Bowl and finish the job.
As for Dobbs, the 31-year-old journeyman hits the open market immediately. He boasts 15 career starts and 3,346 passing yards under his belt. Look for quarterback-needy teams like the Raiders or Giants to kick the tires on him. Dobbs has proven time and again that he can step off a plane on a Tuesday and win a football game on a Sunday. Someone will pick up the phone.
