According to a report from NFL insider Ian Rapoport on Monday morning, the New England Patriots are “planning to release” backup quarterback Josh Dobbs. The former Tennessee signal-caller spent one year with the Patriots’ organization during the 2025 season, serving as the backup quarterback to starter Drake Maye through New England’s Super Bowl runner-up season.
Rapoport’s report also states that New England had previously been searching for a trade partner for Dobbs’ services, but nothing ended up coming through.
As Drake Maye’s backup in 2025, Dobbs saw action in four games, throwing for 65 yards on 7-of-10 passing throughout the season.
Dobbs spent the 2024 season as a backup quarterback with the San Francisco 49ers, but the team had a down year and only went 6-11 while losing seven of their final eight games down the stretch.
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Dobbs’ best career year came in 2023 when he played for both the Arizona Cardinals and the Minnesota Vikings. The former Vol played eight games with Arizona and threw for 266 yards with eight touchdowns, five interceptions, and three rushing touchdowns. He was then traded to Minnesota and played in five games with the Vikings. While with Minnesota, Dobbs threw for 151 yards with five touchdowns, five interceptions, and three rushing scores.
Dobbs was drafted 135th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2017 after spending four seasons at the University of Tennessee from 2013 to 2016. He went 22-15 during his time with the Vols, throwing for 7,138 yards, 53 touchdowns, and 29 interceptions. He also ran the ball for 2,160 yards and 34 touchdowns.
Josh Dobbs previously signed a two-year, $8 million deal with the Patriots in March 2025. He reached the Super Bowl for the first time in his career during his lone season with New England.
