The New England Patriots are undergoing significant changes in their quarterback lineup as they prepare for the upcoming season under new head coach Mike Vrabel. With the departure of veteran backup Jacoby Brissett and the trade of third-string quarterback Joe Milton to the Dallas Cowboys, the Patriots have reshaped their quarterback room. They have signed veteran Joshua Dobbs and undrafted rookie Ben Wooldridge to fill the vacancies.
As training camp progresses, Dobbs has secured the backup quarterback position behind starter Drake Maye. The Patriots’ depth chart reflects this order, with Dobbs stepping into the role left by Brissett, while Wooldridge has been positioned as a developmental option for the team.
Quarterback Dynamics as Camp Advances
Despite the clear hierarchy, Vrabel has indicated that there is currently no debate regarding a change in the quarterback lineup. “Josh is the backup right now,” he affirmed ahead of a joint practice with the Minnesota Vikings. “Not that that couldn’t change. You know, Ben’s working hard, and we’ll see. We’re always trying to strengthen the roster each and every day, but Josh is in there.”
Dobbs, who joined the Patriots in March with a two-year contract worth $8 million, was expected to serve as a mentor to Maye. With eight seasons and experience on eight different teams, his role is crucial as the team navigates the complexities of the upcoming season. However, his early performances in the preseason have raised concerns.
In the Patriots’ first preseason game against the Washington Commanders, Dobbs completed only 5 of 12 passes for 45 yards, leaving questions about his accuracy. His struggles continued during the first day of joint practices against the Vikings, where he threw two interceptions, one of which would have been a pick-six in a game scenario.
Consistency a Key Focus
For Vrabel, the focus is on ensuring consistency from his quarterbacks. “Josh just has to be more consistent,” he stated. “Had an unfortunate interception in a two-minute drill and throwing it into robber, and ball placement has to be better, and just the timing and all these things that we work on. He’s getting the same looks that Drake’s getting, and it’s not easy, but that’s not an excuse. I’m not using that as an excuse. Just saying we have to take care of football.”
While Wooldridge has shown improvement in his performance, he has not received the same number of quality repetitions as Dobbs or Maye. Therefore, the Patriots’ quarterback depth chart remains unchanged for now, with both Dobbs and Wooldridge continuing to develop in their respective roles.
As the season approaches, the Patriots will need to ensure that their quarterback situation is solidified to maximize their performance on the field. The coming weeks will be crucial for both Dobbs and Wooldridge as they vie for their positions in a competitive roster.
