When Mike Vrabel accepted the job to be the next head coach of the Patriots, he said that protecting quarterback Drake Maye was the top priority on his to-do list.
In doing so, Vrabel added veteran free agents and drafted a left tackle fourth overall in the 2025 NFL Draft to upgrade the offensive line. He also added a few weapons to Maye’s arsenal, both with veterans and in the Draft.
But another way to protect Maye and enhance the quality of his play is by acquiring a veteran backup quarterback for him to work with and for him to be in his ear to help guide him through the journey of being an NFL quarterback.
The player that Vrabel targeted for this specific role was veteran backup Joshua Dobbs, who previously played for Vrabel in Tennessee at the end of the 2022 season when he was signed off of the Detroit Lions practice squad. Dobbs recorded his first start and touchdown pass and ultimately almost led the Titans to clinch the division in only two spot starts.
Since Vrabel first gave Dobbs his first opportunity in 2022, he’s perceived around the league as a starter-level backup, and his play proves that much as he’s started games for every team that he’s been on:
- Arizona: 8 starts in 8 games
- Minnesota: 4 starts in 5 games
- San Francisco: 1 start in 2 games
Dobbs has experience with various offenses in his six years in the league and can provide advice to Maye, who’s only in his second year, on what he sees and how to execute as they’re both learning a new offense together this season.
"I’m able to provide pointers from things I’ve seen in the past, how to quickly pick up an offense, and go out and execute it. He’s done a great job of showing me around the team and guys that have been around the last year. It's been a great dynamic, and we’re going to enjoy working together."Joshua Dobbs
Dobbs, who’s been part of many different offenses in his career, has never played in a McDaniels-led offense, but he trusts that he’ll be able to pick it up quickly like he’s done in the past. In a recent press conference, Dobbs mentioned that the McDaniels’ offense proved to be successful with Tom Brady and that’s the “standard” of learning that McDaniels presents.
"Coach McDaniels had a ton of success in this offense with the greatest to play the position and so for us, it’s learning at that standard and that’s the standard that Coach McDaniels is setting for us everyday and it’s really great for us to have that sense of urgency of this is where we need to get to to play efficiently, to play effectively every Sunday and obviously we’re 5-6 weeks into it. So we’re not there yet, but that is our goal, to get there."Joshua Dobbs
Dobbs brings a professional veteran presence to the QB room in New England. He knows his role is to be the backup and prepare himself to be ready in the event that Maye is sidelined this season. Dobbs isn’t going to stand in the way of Maye’s development in year two, and that’s why he's the perfect backup option.
He said, “That’s why I’ve enjoyed all the stops that I feel have been the most productive for me is a healthy quarterback room. Whoever the guy is out there on Sunday, it’s everyone’s job in that room to make sure they’re supported and ready to go, and ready to play. And obviously, from my role, it’s ensuring that as we’re in the offense together, Drake feels comfortable and can go out there and play at a high level. … We want to have a healthy quarterback room, obviously competitive, push each other every single day. But whoever’s out there, we want them to go out and play the best ball they can.”
The Patriots signed Dobbs in the second week of March and then traded backup QB Joe Milton in the first week of April, as it was rumored that he wasn't a good fit in the locker room. It was always the plan to add a veteran quarterback to back up Maye.
Another part of Vrabel’s plan of protecting Maye is by adding a veteran backup quarterback for him to work with. Dobbs has been around the league and worked with Vrabel while in Tennessee, so he has an understanding of what he’s looking for out of this position.
That said, Dobbs and Maye have already gotten to know each other off the field while at an event for the NFLPA in Mexico. The veteran quarterback said that he is going to enjoy working with Maye every day due to the high energy he brings to the facility.
"He can hit the crap out of it with his driver. It’s good to get a chance to meet each other outside of the football environment and put a face with a name, and start talking ball and get to know each other. And, just being in the building, the kid loves football. It’s really good to be around that every morning, coming in high spirit."Joshua Dobbs
Dobbs is a great addition for this Patriots team with Vrabel and McDaniels running the show.