With the New England Patriots inking their 2025 third-string quarterback Tommy DeVito to a two-year/$7.4 million deal ahead of the free agency signing period, the second-team signal caller job held last season by Joshua Dobbs appears to be in some jeopardy.
The franchise looks to be showing some confidence in DeVito, including $2 million guaranteed in his contract, setting up an interesting training camp battle to determine who will back up starter Drake Maye in 2026.
The Tommy DeVito vs Joshua Dobbs debate may come down to finances for the Patriots
Last offseason, New England signed Dobbs to a contract worth just a little more than what they recently gave DeVito, totaling $8 million over two years.
However, that pact came with an out after its first year, allowing the Patriots to cut him before next season and receive $3.7 million in cap savings, which may be more appealing than paying two players the team hopes won’t see the field much, if at all, next season.
DeVito hasn’t played a down since being claimed off waivers by New England late last August, but he showed flashes of NFL production during his rookie campaign in 2023 after injuries unexpectedly thrust the undrafted free agent out of Syracuse into the spotlight.
That season, he played in nine games (going 3-3 in six starts), completing 114 of 178 passing attempts (64%) for eight touchdowns against three interceptions and an 89.2 passer rating, while taking 36 carries for 198 yards and another score.
Now entering his age-28 season, the Patriots giving DeVito a new deal indicates he’s shown enough development for the coaching staff to consider him as a potential contender for being second-in-line to Maye going forward.
Experience could keep Dobbs in the mix
The very factor that led New England to originally sign Dobbs might also be his best case for remaining on the roster. With Maye entering his sophomore campaign last year, it made sense to bring in a veteran signal caller to help show him the ropes.
While that need has been diminished greatly as a result of the MVP-caliber year enjoyed by the Patriots' young gunslinger in 2025, this is also now a team with championship aspirations that should still value having an experienced quarterback on the roster to keep them afloat if Maye were to miss time.
If DeVito doesn’t prove to be a more capable option during training camp, it could open the door for Dobbs to retain his job.
Now set to play in his 10th NFL season, Dobbs‘ most productive campaign as a pro came in 2023, where across 13 games played (3-9 record in 12 starts) between the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings he completed 262 of 417 passing attempts attempts (62.8%) for 13 touchdowns against 10 interceptions and an 79.5 passer rating, while taking 77 carries for 421 yards and six more scores.
Last season with the Patriots, he completed seven of 10 passing attempts for 65 yards, including a critical 12-yard gain on third-and-five with the team holding on to a four-point lead in the third quarter of a Week 7 matchup against the Tennessee Titans, which Maye had briefly exited after being shaken up by a hard hit.
Who New England ultimately determines they want serving as Maye’s primary backup next year will be a storyline worth watching this offseason.