Veteran quarterback Joshua Dobbs reached a two-year, $8 million contract with the New England … More
Joshua Dobbs knows what an NFL quarterback room looks like.
The former No. 135 overall pick out of the University of Tennessee has resided in an array of them since entering the league in 2017. Twice a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns, seats with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers have also been occupied.
In March, he sat down in his next with the New England Patriots.
“We’re just trying to be the best quarterbacks that we can be on a daily basis,” Dobbs told reporters during his Tuesday press conference. “Like, from our leadership, from how we handle ourselves in the locker room, from our preparation and ultimately how we perform and compete on the field no matter who’s in there. I think that’s what makes a healthy room. So obviously, the pecking order will be the pecking order. But when guys are coming together each and every day to work hard, to grow, to push each other in the right way with the right spirit, that’s what makes a healthy quarterback room. But not only a healthy quarterback room, that’s what makes a healthy team.”
Dobbs arrived at Gillette Stadium on a two-year, $8 million contract as an unrestricted free agent. The agreement brings $3.8 million guaranteed along with cap charges of $2.925 million for 2025 and $4.75 million for 2026, according to OverTheCap.com.
And it brings on the responsibility of backing up rising sophomore Drake Maye, whom he first met at the NFLPA Classic golf tournament in Cancun.
“It was good to get a chance to meet each other outside of a football environment, put a face with a name and just start talking ball and get to know each other,” Dobbs said. “And just being in the building, like, the kid loves football. It’s really good to be around that every morning.”
In Foxborough, the 30-year-old is beginning at the same point as the 22-year-old starter in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ system as organized team activities and mandatory minicamp near.
“As a young guy, I think curiosity is always very interesting,” Dobbs said. “He’s very curious. This is obviously his second scheme that he’s had. To see the questions that he asks, his engagement each day within the QB room and his preparation coming into the room. And not only preparation in our own interpersonal meetings with Coach McDaniels, but also when we get on the field. As we go out there and lead a new offense, like, you can always tell who loves football and loves the learning aspect of it. He definitely does that.”
Dobbs stands 23 games and 15 starts into his NFL journey. The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder has completed 344-of-549 passes for 3,281 yards with 17 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. And on the ground, 520 yards and eight scores have been accrued as a rusher.
He spent time on former Titans head coach Mike Vrabel’s roster in the AFC South. He also spent time on the same depth chart as former Patriots quarterback and team captain Jacoby Brissett in the AFC North.
In the AFC East, it’s on to building a dynamic with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 draft class.
“Whoever the guy is out there on Sundays, it’s everyone’s job in that room to make sure they’re supported and ready to go and ready to play,” Dobbs said. “Obviously, for my role, it’s ensuring that as we’re learning the offense together, Drake feels comfortable and he can go out there and play at a high level. And so, learning that from Jacoby, man, he’s the ultimate professional. We want to have a healthy quarterback room. Obviously competitive, push each other every single day. But at the end of the day, whoever’s out there, we want them to go out and play the best ball they can.”