‘Very Frustrating’: Dobbs Details Patriots Exit Before Lions Signing
Josh Dobbs Finds New Home with Detroit Lions After Frustrating Patriots Exit
The Big Picture
Imagine you’re looking for a new job, but your old company waits until everyone else has already hired before letting you go. That’s exactly what happened to quarterback Josh Dobbs this offseason. After a frustrating end with the New England Patriots, he’s now the backup quarterback for the Detroit Lions—and he’s happy to be there.
What Happened with the New England Patriots?
The Timeline That Upset Dobbs
- Free agency opens – Teams start signing players for the new season
- Patriots wait two weeks – They keep Dobbs on the roster instead of releasing him
- Dobbs gets cut – By this point, most teams have already filled their quarterback spots
- Dobbs misses out – He loses the chance to compete for better backup jobs elsewhere
Important Point
The timing mattered most. Dobbs told reporters: "That was very frustrating, the way they handled that." The Patriots seemed to be hoping they could trade him for a draft pick or player instead of just releasing him. That strategy backfired for Dobbs.
His 2024 Season in New England (In a Nutshell)
- Role: Backup to rookie starter Drake Maye
- Playing time: Only 4 games in "mop-up duty" (when the game is already decided)
- Stats: 7-of-10 passing, 65 yards, 0 touchdowns, 0 interceptions
- Notable moment: Backed up Maye during the Patriots’ 29-13 loss to Seattle in Super Bowl LX (Note: This appears to be a forward-looking reference in the original reporting)
Why the Patriots Moved On
New England decided to go in a different direction for the 2026 season with:
- Tommy DeVito – Former Giants backup
- Behren Morton – 7th-round rookie draft pick
Rather than release Dobbs early and let him test the market, they held onto him hoping to trade him. When no trade materialized, they finally cut him—long after free agency had cooled down.
Who Is Josh Dobbs? (The Football Resume)
The Basics
- Age: 31 years old
- Drafted: 4th round, 2017 by Pittsburgh Steelers
- NFL Experience: 8 seasons (since 2017)
- Reputation: Smart, experienced, reliable backup
Career Statistics (Through 2024)
| Category | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 27 |
| Games Started | 15 |
| Record as Starter | 3-12 |
| Completion % | 62.8% |
| Passing Yards | 3,346 |
| Touchdowns | 17 |
| Interceptions | 15 |
| Rushing Yards | 515 |
| Rushing TDs | 8 |
His Best Season: 2023
Dobbs had his most extensive action splitting time between the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings:
- Started 12 games (3-9 record)
- 2,464 passing yards
- 13 touchdowns vs. 10 interceptions
- Showed he can keep an offense moving when the starter goes down
The Detroit Lions Opportunity
How It Happened
- Teddy Bridgewater retires – Lions’ longtime backup QB hangs it up
- Lions need a backup – Behind starter Jared Goff
- Dobbs is available – Perfect timing for both sides
- Deal gets done – 1 year, $1.425 million (per Spotrac)
Why This Is a Great Fit for Dobbs
- Little competition: Only rival is undrafted rookie Luke Altmyer
- Stable starter: Goff hasn’t missed a game since 2021
- Win-now team: Lions are Super Bowl contenders
- Respected coach: Dan Campbell values tough, prepared veterans
Important Point
Dobbs landed in the best-case scenario. He went from "no good options left" to "clear backup on a contender" almost overnight.
What This Means for the Detroit Lions
Insurance Policy Activated
- Goff is durable but injuries happen
- Dobbs has 15 NFL starts – he won’t panic in big moments
- Mobile quarterback – can extend plays with his legs (515 career rush yards)
- Smart player – known for learning playbooks quickly (aerospace engineering degree!)
The Backup Battle
| Player | Experience | Draft Status | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Dobbs | 8 years, 15 starts | 4th Round (2017) | Clear favorite |
| Luke Altmyer | Rookie, 0 NFL games | Undrafted (2025) | Developmental |
Summary
Josh Dobbs’ journey this offseason:
- Frustrated by Patriots’ slow release timing
- Hurt his free agency value (teams already set at QB)
- Landed perfectly with Detroit after Bridgewater’s retirement
- Signed affordable 1-year deal ($1.425M)
- Positioned to back up a star on a title contender
The Lions got a steal—a veteran backup with starting experience for minimum money. Dobbs got a fresh start where he’s clearly the #2. Sometimes the best moves happen when nobody’s looking.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Why was Josh Dobbs so upset with the Patriots?
A: They waited until two weeks after free agency started to release him. By then, almost every team had already signed their backup quarterbacks. It’s like showing up to a potluck after all the good food is gone.
Is Josh Dobbs a good backup quarterback?
A: Yes. He has 15 career starts, nearly 3,500 passing yards, and 8 rushing touchdowns. He’s started for multiple teams and won games. Most importantly, he’s known for learning offenses fast.
Will Dobbs play much for the Lions?
A: Probably not. Jared Goff hasn’t missed a game since 2021. But if Goff gets hurt, Detroit now has a proven NFL starter ready to go—not a rookie learning on the job.
What happened to Teddy Bridgewater?
A: He announced his retirement on Instagram this past weekend. He had been Goff’s backup for two seasons.
Could Dobbs actually start for Detroit at some point?
A: Only if Goff gets injured. The Lions are built to win now, and Goff is their guy. But Dobbs gives them a safety net most teams would envy—a backup who’s actually won NFL games.
Article based on reporting from NBC Sports ProFootballTalk, Spotrac, and official team announcements.