Who Should I Start? Joshua Dobbs or Graham Mertz

Monday, March 23, 6:44 AM

The New England Patriots are planning to release backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs after they were unable to find a trade partner, sources told Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Dobbs, 31, signed a two-year, $8 million contract with New England in March of last year. He appeared in just four games for the Patriots in 2025 and went 7-for-10 passing for 65 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions as Drake Maye's backup. Dobbs will now be free to sign with any other teams and should latch on elsewhere as a backup with plenty of experience in the NFL. He was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round in 2017 out of Tennessee. Dobbs' best season came in 2023, when he threw for 2,464 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in 13 games (12 starts) with the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings. In his six seasons with five different teams, Dobbs has completed 62.8% of his passes for 3,346 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 15 picks in 27 games (15 starts).