QB2 and QB3

ctpatsfan77 · Feb 28, 2026

Right now, the Pats have a QB2 signed for next year in Josh Dobbs. They might have a QB3, as DeVito is an RFA that they can tender.

In terms of responsibility, QB3 is primarily a scout team QB and an emergency backup QB3 in case [as Pat McAfee once put it] all hell breaks loose. The NFL incentivizes carrying 3 QBs on the 53-man roster, as players elevated from the PS cannot be designated QB3. DeVito, if he returns, would fulfill that role; they could also bring in a day 3 player/UDFA.

QB2 is more complex. I think Maye has reached the point where there is almost no chance that he'll be beaten out on talent, so I can't see any high-end backups coming here. That said, I think he's still young enough that he can benefit from a mentor-type QB, as Hoyer was in 2021 for Mac Jones and Huard was for Brady in 2002. That said, they also need a QB who can play if, football gods forbid, Maye has to miss time. Belichick ultimately let Hoyer go because he basically failed in the two instances they called on him to start, even though he was a great mentor. It seems like he's a good mentor, though I think his ability to win games if needed is still an open question.

Right now, if I had to guess, I think they're going to need a QB3 (I see DeVito going somewhere else where he has a better chance to start, and I doubt the Pats will match any offers he gets if they do tender him. I think Dobbs will probably be back next year, but his dead money is not so large that they can't cut him if they find someone they prefer. In any case, I don't think they'll spend more than ~$5M on the QB2 position.

TommyD4207 · Feb 28, 2026

ctpatsfan77 said:
Right now, the Pats have a QB2 signed for next year in Josh Dobbs. They might have a QB3, as DeVito is an RFA that they can tender.

In terms of responsibility, QB3 is primarily a scout team QB and an emergency backup QB3 in case [as Pat McAfee once put it] all hell breaks loose. The NFL incentivizes carrying 3 QBs on the 53-man roster, as players elevated from the PS cannot be designated QB3. DeVito, if he returns, would fulfill that role; they could also bring in a day 3 player/UDFA.

QB2 is more complex. I think Maye has reached the point where there is almost no chance that he'll be beaten out on talent, so I can't see any high-end backups coming here. That said, I think he's still young enough that he can benefit from a mentor-type QB, as Hoyer was in 2021 for Mac Jones and Huard was for Brady in 2002. That said, they also need a QB who can play if, football gods forbid, Maye has to miss time. Belichick ultimately let Hoyer go because he basically failed in the two instances they called on him to start, even though he was a great mentor. It seems like he's a good mentor, though I think his ability to win games if needed is still an open question.

Right now, if I had to guess, I think they're going to need a QB3 (I see DeVito going somewhere else where he has a better chance to start, and I doubt the Pats will match any offers he gets if they do tender him. I think Dobbs will probably be back next year, but his dead money is not so large that they can't cut him if they find someone they prefer. In any case, I don't think they'll spend more than ~$5M on the QB2 position.

They might give DeVito QB2 money and say adios to Dobbs.
I'm guessing those are the two guys backing up Maye next year - although I do feel like they could really improve on Dobbs.

Mike the Brit · Feb 28, 2026

Very unimpressed at what I've seen of Dobbs. I don't think it's a good principle to pick your QB2 on the basis that he won't be a threat to the QB1 because he couldn't be a longterm NFL starter himself!

Ross12 · Feb 28, 2026

TommyD4207 said:
They might give DeVito QB2 money and say adios to Dobbs.
I'm guessing those are the two guys backing up Maye next year - although I do feel like they could really improve on Dobbs.

Yeah, my gut feeling has been that they will have DeVito as QB2. They put in a waiver claim on him and carried him all year for a reason. I think they like his talent and want him to be the guy behind Maye. They know Maye as an athletic QB carries a little bit more risk of injury, so having a guy with a bit of upside is good there.

IMO, I also personally think Maye would benefit from having another younger player to jockey with a little bit even if it’s not a competition. His job is secure but they still push each other. The kid has Josh McDaniels in his headset and has already been in a Super Bowl, I don’t know how much more a veteran QB is going to impart on him beyond that. But of course I could be wrong.

Stu Pidassle · Feb 28, 2026

Mike the Brit said:
Very unimpressed at what I've seen of Dobbs. I don't think it's a good principle to pick your QB2 on the basis that he won't be a threat to the QB1 because he couldn't be a longterm NFL starter himself!

I don't see how Dobbs, or Jakoby for that matter, are the type of mentors that will help Maye at this point in his career. He should have already learned about being prepared and the importance of taking care of himself. If the team wants a veteran QB2 to help mentor Maye he needs to have had starting experience to be able to give helpful input on what is happening on the field. Hoyer brought this perspective from significant playing time for a couple of different team and started a playoff game. Dobbs cannot provide that kind of knowledge.

JoeSixPat · Feb 28, 2026

TommyD4207 said:
They might give DeVito QB2 money and say adios to Dobbs.
I'm guessing those are the two guys backing up Maye next year - although I do feel like they could really improve on Dobbs.

If they weren't already on the hook for $5 million for Dobbs I would agree with you

I'd think they let DeVito walk for a better chance to start elsewhere though I think he's been a good scout team QB

I'd guess they use one of their 6th round picks on a QB to take the #3 spot and see if they can replicate the 2000 draft

Short of paying a LOT more than Dobbs for an older veteran QB backup (Maye is NOT going to be insecure about THAT anymore!) Dobbs will have to suffice for next season as they'd wind up paying $10 million for a $5 million backup if they let him walk and replaced him

Maybe next season they decide to go that route with a $6-8 million QB to sit on the bench capable of winning playoff games if Maye were injured - but that's still a lot of cap money for a contingency which, if it happens, still probably means your SB chances are over.

With that in mind I favor using that much cap money for other positions, knowing that it's doubtful that ANY backup is going to win the Super Bowl for us and we're better off taking a young, cheap developmental QB that we can trade for draft capital if they turn out to be good.

Mike the Brit · Feb 28, 2026

JoeSixPat said:
If they weren't already on the hook for $5 million for Dobbs I would agree with you

I'd think they let DeVito walk for a better chance to start elsewhere though I think he's been a good scout team QB

I'd guess they use one of their 6th round picks on a QB to take the #3 spot and see if they can replicate the 2000 draft

Short of paying a LOT more than Dobbs for an older veteran QB backup (Maye is NOT going to be insecure about THAT anymore!) Dobbs will have to suffice for next season as they'd wind up paying $10 million for a $5 million backup if they let him walk and replaced him

Maybe next season they decide to go that route with a $6-8 million QB to sit on the bench capable of winning playoff games if Maye were injured - but that's still a lot of cap money for a contingency which, if it happens, still probably means your SB chances are over.

With that in mind I favor using that much cap money for other positions, knowing that it's doubtful that ANY backup is going to win the Super Bowl for us and we're better off taking a young, cheap developmental QB that we can trade for draft capital if they turn out to be good.

The cap hit from cutting Dobbs is $1,050,000.

Ring 6 · Feb 28, 2026

ctpatsfan77 said:
Right now, the Pats have a QB2 signed for next year in Josh Dobbs. They might have a QB3, as DeVito is an RFA that they can tender.

In terms of responsibility, QB3 is primarily a scout team QB and an emergency backup QB3 in case [as Pat McAfee once put it] all hell breaks loose. The NFL incentivizes carrying 3 QBs on the 53-man roster, as players elevated from the PS cannot be designated QB3. DeVito, if he returns, would fulfill that role; they could also bring in a day 3 player/UDFA.

QB2 is more complex. I think Maye has reached the point where there is almost no chance that he'll be beaten out on talent, so I can't see any high-end backups coming here. That said, I think he's still young enough that he can benefit from a mentor-type QB, as Hoyer was in 2021 for Mac Jones and Huard was for Brady in 2002. That said, they also need a QB who can play if, football gods forbid, Maye has to miss time. Belichick ultimately let Hoyer go because he basically failed in the two instances they called on him to start, even though he was a great mentor. It seems like he's a good mentor, though I think his ability to win games if needed is still an open question.

Right now, if I had to guess, I think they're going to need a QB3 (I see DeVito going somewhere else where he has a better chance to start, and I doubt the Pats will match any offers he gets if they do tender him. I think Dobbs will probably be back next year, but his dead money is not so large that they can't cut him if they find someone they prefer. In any case, I don't think they'll spend more than ~$5M on the QB2 position.

I’m always curious about these type of comments. Why would you want a young qb mentored by a bad qb who has failed and can only get a backup job?
Why would Mayr want to emulate a guy like that?
Why wouldn’t his OC and QB coach be his mentor?

Hoyer and Huard weren’t here to coach the QB they were here to play if needed.

JoeSixPat · Feb 28, 2026

Mike the Brit said:
The cap hit from cutting Dobbs is $1,050,000.

Yeah but how much are you going to sign a veteran QB for?

Jacoby Brisset is making what, $6 million a season? It goes up from there with more experience and success.

I guess it comes down to whether we want $5 million in cap space devoted to backup QB or $10 million in cap space for a veteran/mentor QB

Though I'd probably fall more in the camp of $2 mil for DeVito and draft a rookie than any of those alternatives

ctpatsfan77 · Feb 28, 2026

Ring 6 said:
I’m always curious about these type of comments. Why would you want a young qb mentored by a bad qb who has failed and can only get a backup job?
Why would Mayr want to emulate a guy like that?
Why wouldn’t his OC and QB coach be his mentor?

Hoyer and Huard weren’t here to coach the QB they were here to play if needed.

Here's a bit on it:

Notebook: Hoyer embracing mentor role

Ring 6 · Feb 28, 2026

ctpatsfan77 said:
Here's a bit on it:

Notebook: Hoyer embracing mentor role

That’s a guy who knows the system helping a teammate learn it. Thats not bringing in an older, crappy QB to teach drake Maye how to play QB

stcjones · Feb 28, 2026

ctpatsfan77 said:
Right now, the Pats have a QB2 signed for next year in Josh Dobbs. They might have a QB3, as DeVito is an RFA that they can tender.

In terms of responsibility, QB3 is primarily a scout team QB and an emergency backup QB3 in case [as Pat McAfee once put it] all hell breaks loose. The NFL incentivizes carrying 3 QBs on the 53-man roster, as players elevated from the PS cannot be designated QB3. DeVito, if he returns, would fulfill that role; they could also bring in a day 3 player/UDFA.

QB2 is more complex. I think Maye has reached the point where there is almost no chance that he'll be beaten out on talent, so I can't see any high-end backups coming here. That said, I think he's still young enough that he can benefit from a mentor-type QB, as Hoyer was in 2021 for Mac Jones and Huard was for Brady in 2002. That said, they also need a QB who can play if, football gods forbid, Maye has to miss time. Belichick ultimately let Hoyer go because he basically failed in the two instances they called on him to start, even though he was a great mentor. It seems like he's a good mentor, though I think his ability to win games if needed is still an open question.

Right now, if I had to guess, I think they're going to need a QB3 (I see DeVito going somewhere else where he has a better chance to start, and I doubt the Pats will match any offers he gets if they do tender him. I think Dobbs will probably be back next year, but his dead money is not so large that they can't cut him if they find someone they prefer. In any case, I don't think they'll spend more than ~$5M on the QB2 position.

I think Devito is in a good position here as #3…..maybe he can move up to #2 with another team…He’s not starting anywhere

stcjones · Feb 28, 2026

ctpatsfan77 said:
Right now, the Pats have a QB2 signed for next year in Josh Dobbs. They might have a QB3, as DeVito is an RFA that they can tender.

In terms of responsibility, QB3 is primarily a scout team QB and an emergency backup QB3 in case [as Pat McAfee once put it] all hell breaks loose. The NFL incentivizes carrying 3 QBs on the 53-man roster, as players elevated from the PS cannot be designated QB3. DeVito, if he returns, would fulfill that role; they could also bring in a day 3 player/UDFA.

QB2 is more complex. I think Maye has reached the point where there is almost no chance that he'll be beaten out on talent, so I can't see any high-end backups coming here. That said, I think he's still young enough that he can benefit from a mentor-type QB, as Hoyer was in 2021 for Mac Jones and Huard was for Brady in 2002. That said, they also need a QB who can play if, football gods forbid, Maye has to miss time. Belichick ultimately let Hoyer go because he basically failed in the two instances they called on him to start, even though he was a great mentor. It seems like he's a good mentor, though I think his ability to win games if needed is still an open question.

Right now, if I had to guess, I think they're going to need a QB3 (I see DeVito going somewhere else where he has a better chance to start, and I doubt the Pats will match any offers he gets if they do tender him. I think Dobbs will probably be back next year, but his dead money is not so large that they can't cut him if they find someone they prefer. In any case, I don't think they'll spend more than ~$5M on the QB2 position.

Maye doesn’t need a mentor ….kid should have been MVP last year! Good OC and QB coach and that is all he needs!

Zuma · Feb 28, 2026

I think it's important to have a backup who can make the same / similar throws Maye can. It helps the offense and the WR's be more ready for gameday and also in case Maye is out. For instance when installing a game plan for an opponent...is Dobbs or Devito going to be able to sling it to the WR's, TE's and RB's to simulate plays accurately? Are backups at those positions going to be ready to catch passes from Maye during games if Devito is trying to simulate Maye's downfield accuracy? Is Dobbs or Devito going to provide wisdom to Maye during the week or games? I prefer a veteran with more experience then the current backups.

Stu Pidassle · Feb 28, 2026

Zuma said:
I think it's important to have a backup who can make the same / similar throws Maye can. It helps the offense and the WR's be more ready for gameday and also in case Maye is out. For instance when installing a game plan for an opponent...is Dobbs or Devito going to be able to sling it to the WR's, TE's and RB's to simulate plays accurately? Are backups at those positions going to be ready to catch passes from Maye during games if Devito is trying to simulate Maye's downfield accuracy? Is Dobbs or Devito going to provide wisdom to Maye during the week or games? I prefer a veteran with more experience then the current backups.

Being able to run the same offense with both QBs makes perfect sense. The problem is that the QB1 is the QB1 because he is better, possibly much better, than QB2 the play calling is impacted when the backup is in. If there is truly a situation where QB2 can make the same throws as QB1, chances are that QB1 is not very good. I can't a see a scenario where the Pats season is not lost if Maye goes down with a serious injury.

TommyD4207 · Feb 28, 2026

JoeSixPat said:
If they weren't already on the hook for $5 million for Dobbs I would agree with you

I'd think they let DeVito walk for a better chance to start elsewhere though I think he's been a good scout team QB

I'd guess they use one of their 6th round picks on a QB to take the #3 spot and see if they can replicate the 2000 draft

Short of paying a LOT more than Dobbs for an older veteran QB backup (Maye is NOT going to be insecure about THAT anymore!) Dobbs will have to suffice for next season as they'd wind up paying $10 million for a $5 million backup if they let him walk and replaced him

Maybe next season they decide to go that route with a $6-8 million QB to sit on the bench capable of winning playoff games if Maye were injured - but that's still a lot of cap money for a contingency which, if it happens, still probably means your SB chances are over.

With that in mind I favor using that much cap money for other positions, knowing that it's doubtful that ANY backup is going to win the Super Bowl for us and we're better off taking a young, cheap developmental QB that we can trade for draft capital if they turn out to be good.

5 million might as well be 5 cents in 2026.

n1997y · Mar 1, 2026

I’d prefer to see Mason Rudolph as QB2 instead of Josh Dobbs. Rudolph and Maye have been extended family since before they were born. Rudolph’s father was roommates with Maye’s father at UNC, and was the center snapping to him on the gridiron. They’ve remained extremely close friends ever since. Mason was best friends with Drake’s older brother and they all basically grew up together.

Patriots signed Dobbs on March 10, 2025. Steelers signed Rudolph three days later, on March 13, 2025. Contracts seem fairly similar. According to Spotrac:

Mason Rudolph signed a 2 year, $7,500,000 contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, including $3,000,000 signing bonus, $3,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $3,750,000. In 2026, Rudolph will earn a base salary of $3,000,000, while carrying a cap hit of $4,622,500 and a dead cap value of $1,622,500.

and

Joshua Dobbs signed a 2 year, $8,000,000 contract with the New England Patriots, including $2,100,000 signing bonus, $3,800,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $4,000,000. In 2026, Dobbs will earn a base salary of $3,200,000 and a workout bonus of $75,000, while carrying a cap hit of $4,750,000 and a dead cap value of $1,050,000.

I really wish they could just be swapped.

n1997y · Mar 1, 2026

n1997y said:
Devito is young enough and good enough to be worth keeping.

The guy I’d prefer to see as our backup, if not this year maybe next, is Mason Rudolph. He checks the box for NFL experience, and he and Drake are extended family, with a friendship going back to childhood.

Zuma said:
Yuppers...I think that would be a good fit as well...even tho the experience isn't really there...he still has more then Dobbs and Devito

How much experience do you think is needed?

For comparison, according to Pro Football Reference over his career Rudolph has played in 34 games and started 19. OTOH same source says Dobbs has played in 27 games and started 15. Both have 6 years in the league.

Also for comparison, Mac Jones has 5 years in the league, has played in 63 games and started 57, so he has much more experience in one less season. FWIW.

I’d certainly take Mac over Josh Dobbs, but I think I’d take Rudolph over Jones.

Main thing, Rudolph has a W-L record of 9-9-1. Corky’s is 25-32-0, and Dobbs’ is 3-12-0. Completion percentage slightly favors Mac, 66.5% to Rudolph’s 64.4% and Dobbs’ 62.8%. I’d trust Rudolph more than the other two based on W-L percentage.

Huckleberry1 · Mar 1, 2026

n1997y said:
How much experience do you think is needed?

For comparison, according to Pro Football Reference over his career Rudolph has played in 34 games and started 19. OTOH same source says Dobbs has played in 27 games and started 15. Both have 6 years in the league.

Also for comparison, Mac Jones has 5 years in the league, has played in 63 games and started 57, so he has much more experience in one less season. FWIW.

I’d certainly take Mac over Josh Dobbs, but I think I’d take Rudolph over Jones.

Main thing, Rudolph has a W-L record of 9-9-1. Corky’s is 25-32-0, and Dobbs’ is 3-12-0. Completion percentage slightly favors Mac, 66.5% to Rudolph’s 64.4% and Dobbs’ 62.8%. I’d trust Rudolph more than the other two based on W-L percentage.

I never want to see Mac Jones in a Patriots uniform again.

ctpatsfan77 · Mar 1, 2026

Huckleberry1 said:
I never want to see Mac Jones in a Patriots uniform again.

I can't promise you never, but I doubt NE is going to trade for him this year.

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