Joshua Dobbs Growing Alongside Drake Maye In Patriots QB Room
Veteran quarterback Joshua Dobbs reached a two-year, $8 million contract with the New England ... More Patriots during NFL free agency in March. (Photo by) Getty Images
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.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
19 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Falcons Linked to Potential Aggressive Move for 2-Time Pro Bowler
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entering the 2025 NFL season, the NFC South division is wide open. While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are considered by many to be the favorite, the Atlanta Falcons are going to be a team worth watching as well. Last season, the Falcons finished the year with an 8-9 record and narrowly missed the playoffs. They had been in contention all year long, but simply couldn't get into the postseason. A new era of football is set to begin this season in Atlanta. Michael Penix Jr., the team's second-year quarterback, will be the starter and will look to take the Falcons back to contention. Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris looks on from the field after an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 16, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris looks on from the field after an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 16, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo byWhile the roster looks solid, some questions need to be answered. One potential need could come at the cornerback position. Read more: Broncos Urged to Pursue Blockbuster Trade To Support Bo Nix With that in mind, Atlanta has been connected as a possible suitor for a two-time Pro Bowl free agent. Arkesh Ray of Atlanta Falcons on SI has suggested that the team could consider signing former Green Bay Packers star cornerback Jaire Alexander, who was recently released by the Packers. "With major injury concerns and an inability to stay on the field as of late, Alexander would not be able to demand a huge contract. If the Falcons are able to bring him on a cheap deal, they should consider it, providing competition and depth at outside corner," Ray wrote. "With Alexander's injury history and matador tackling, Alexander could still fit a coverage role that should be even more valuable with an upgraded pass rush." Adding a piece like Alexander could be the fix that the Falcons' defense needs. If he can return to full health and stay healthy, he's still more than capable of being one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. Last season with Green Bay, Alexander showed off what he's capable of in the seven games he did play. He recorded 16 total tackles, one fumble recovery, two interceptions, a defensive touchdown, and seven defended passes. Read more: Browns Fans in Tears After Nick Chubb's Heartfelt Message He would immediately take over as the No. 1 cornerback in Atlanta. That's where he would stay as long as he's healthy enough to play. While the concerns about his health could scare teams off, the Falcons would be taking on little to no risk. On a one-year contract, Atlanta could simply move on if things didn't work out after the 2025 season. They may not have an interest in Alexander, but the Falcons are a team to keep an eye on. For more Atlanta Falcons and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
New York Times
20 minutes ago
- New York Times
How Jim Harbaugh's text exchange with Jason Sudeikis inspired ‘Ted Lasso' gameday attire
Among the ways to describe Jim Harbaugh: Los Angeles Chargers coach, championship-winning college football coach, passionate, quirky, Michigan Man. And now … gameday fashion expert? Four years ago, actor and 'Ted Lasso' star Jason Sudeikis revealed on 'Late Night With Seth Meyers' that he confided in Harbaugh to craft his character's gameday wardrobe. At the time, Sudeikis mentioned Harbaugh told him he keeps it simple: khakis and a sweatshirt. But it turns out Harbaugh's response was plenty more detailed than that. Advertisement This week, Sudeikis revisited that text exchange with Harbaugh in an appearance at the Men in Blazers' 'One Year To Glory' event earlier this week, which signaled the one-year countdown to the 2026 World Cup. Sudeikis said he and Harbaugh texted on Sept. 4, 2019, when 'Ted Lasso' filming was beginning. 'Writing you from jolly old England … as we're in the middle of filming episode two of that 'Ted Lasso' show I'm doing for Apple, so far so good, I think,' Sudieikis wrote in the text with a shrug emoji before asking Harbaugh his routine for gameday attire. What does he wear to and from the stadium? And for post-game interviews? 'I wear the same clothes every day, khakis and a blue sweatshirt,' Harbaugh's response began. 'Will wear the same thing to post interviews and then home as well. No shower unless it's really hot or really cold outside or raining. In that case, our equipment manager has a duplicate pair of everything I wear in my locker, so I put that on to wear back on the plane or home. And always a new pair of socks and different underwear. There's always a locker with extra layers for cold games, plus long johns. That's the routine for road games and home games. I pack a playbook, call sheet, one extra underwear, one extra pair of socks and a toothbrush. Wear the rest of what I need. 'As I like to say, I pack a toothbrush and a great attitude.' Harbaugh continued by describing how other coaches might pack a bag and perhaps change from a suit to coaching gear once they get to the stadium. Some keep their coaching gear on after, others change clothes 'I don't see the point in getting all dressed up to ride the bus or walk into a stadium, but most coaches, many pro players want to look sharp for the brief camera shot coming off the bus and into the stadium,' Harbaugh wrote. 'Hope that helps, more than happy to do so.' Jason Sudeikis reads his full text exchange with NFL coach Jim Harbaugh on proper coaching attire. A tale of khakis, toothbrushes, extra underwear and emojis 🤷🏻♂️✌️🩲 — Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) June 12, 2025 Might as well add 'detail oriented' to Harbaugh's signature qualities. Harbaugh, who also appeared at the Los Angeles event, later discussed how the coaching mentality of Ted Lasso in the series reminded him of the way his father, Jack Harbaugh, approached the profession. Jack was the head coach of Western Michigan from 1982-86 and Western Kentucky from 1989-2002, leading the Hilltoppers to the 2002 Division I-AA Football Championship title. In 2023, he came out of retirement to work as an assistant coach with Jim's Michigan Wolverines, which won the College Football Playoff championship that year. Advertisement '(Ted Lasso) said one time … he judges success not by wins and losses but by making the fellas the best version of themselves on and off the field. That one really stuck,' Jim Harbaugh said. 'I want to be that kind of coach, that kind of leader which encourages rather than discourages. When you really think about it, when you're encouraging somebody, you're giving them confidence and you're giving them courage, which is far better than discouraging them, which leads them to be less courageous and less confident.' The Emmy Award-winning 'Ted Lasso' is a comedy series that follows an American soccer coach at a fictional English Premier League club, AFC Richmond. The show will return for a fourth season with Lasso coaching a women's team, as Sudeikis explained on an episode of the 'New Heights' podcast, hosted by Jason and Travis Kelce. The release date for the fourth season has not been announced. (Photo of Jim Harbaugh: Kirby Lee / Imagn Images)
Forbes
20 minutes ago
- Forbes
To Play For Savannah Bananas Takes All Sorts Of Special Skills
*This is the second in a multi-part series on the Savannah Bananas. The Savannah Bananas are a lot of things: a traveling circus; a close-knit group of players, performers, team members (not 'employees'); a family affair; and the best night you will have at the ballpark all year (non-October division). What they are most decidedly not: a way-station for ballplayers trying to find their way back to organized baseball. The Bananas are a social media phenomenon. There is a multi-part documentary on ESPN; reports on 60 Minutes; and a YouTube series, 'Bananaland: The Road To Cooperstown.' Not to mention that they maintain an active presence on TikTok. But while watching at home is interesting, the Savannah Bananas need to be seen in person to be truly experienced. If you are unfamiliar with the team and their story, my colleague here at Candace Oehler wrote a great piece about the team and their owners, Jesse and Emily Cole. But when this writer visited the team in Arizona, I wanted to learn a little bit about the stars of the show: the players. Research showed that a great many hail from the minors or independent baseball. The team actually started in 2016 in the Coastal Plains League, which is a summer collegiate league, so the first batch of players came from that cohort. But what about today? As a quick review, the Bananas are made up of roughly 25 players. And they play against the Party Animals, the Firefighters, the Visitors, and the Texas Tailgaters. While at first blush it would seem that each opponent is the baseball equivalent of the Washington Generals (with the Bananas serving as the Harlem Globetrotters), that could not be further from the truth. As Jesse Cole told me, there are two ways in which Banana Ball is different than the nearly 100-year old basketball traveling roadshow: (1) The Bananas put on a different show every night (at least 15 different routines each game); and (2) There is real competition on the field. The outcome of each Bananas game is not pre-ordained; the players on both sides are out there to perform, and to win. Because of that, I wondered if the players were putting their best foot forward every time with the hope of catching (back) on with a team in organized baseball. But in interviews with more than a dozen players across multiple teams, only one even considered the possibility. One pitcher (who shall remain nameless to protect his anonymity), cut by two different professional organizations, said he would at least answer the phone if a professional club were to call; but he doubted he would take the offer if one came. He was having too much with this group. Jesse, and his wife, Emily, run the Bananas as a team, as a business, and as a family. And, to that end, they work overtime to make sure everyone is taken care – financially as well as emotionally. Unlike professional baseball (including the major leagues), the Bananas work on year-round contracts. That means everyone in the organization – most specifically, the players – are guaranteed income for twelve months, not just six or seven as is the case in other professional ranks. The players are well-renumerated. While no one – not the players nor the owners – would divulge what each gets paid, it was intimated that the players make considerably more than typical minor league salaries (even taking into consideration the new minor league collective bargaining agreement that was introduced in 2023), but well below big league money. It is, without question, a living wage. Further, each player has full health benefits. As in organized baseball, all contracts are individualized based on what the player brings to the table. Baseball skills, fans-first focus, ability to create unforgettable moments, level of fan engagement – both on and off the field, including on social media – are all components of what a player may get paid. Social media, in fact, is a massive part of the equation. The Bananas have more than 10 million followers on TikTok (up from 8.4 million this time last year), nearly three million on Instagram (up more than 10% since last year), but a mere 216,000 on X, formerly Twitter (which may say something about the age of their followers). With so much of their fan engagement done via the socials, the club is always looking for players who have – or can create – a huge following. Currently, infielder Jackson Olson is the leader by a mile, with 1.9 million followers on TikTok. But many of his teammates clock in with hundreds of thousands of followers, including Alex Ziegler, who has about 630,000, and was discovered by the club doing his bat tricks on social media. The Bananas want their players 'out there' hyping the game, the team, and the whole Banana ethos. Jesse and Emily operate with the mantra: 'Fans First. Entertain Always.' So, when the Bananas first formed to be the team(s) they would become, the vetting process for players was thorough, but tricky. Would a collegiate or former professional baseball player be willing to rip off his shirt and stand topless in the batter's box? How would he feel about twerking his way from the on-deck circle to the plate? Could he break out into dance on the mound, and then make a competitive pitch? What would these players do to give the fans the time of their life? At first, Jesse and Emily and their staff had to work extremely hard, looking all over the world to find the right balance of players who had the skills – both baseball and entertainment – to be part of this group. Now, with the organization's global success, they receive 'thousands' of submissions each day that they have to cull to see who will make a good member of any of their teams. While the pool of potential players has gotten larger, choosing the right players has not gotten easier. At the end of the day, the Coles want to make sure they have a competitive game and an unparalleled show. The competitive aspect is what I was dubious about. How could a guy who does a backflip while catching a flyball really care about winning? How does a team truly set up to play defense behind a pitcher standing nearly 11-feet tall wearing stilts? Would a player who could steal first base on a wild pitch really take the game seriously? Would players really chase a ball from the pitcher's mound to the warning track to keep a runner from scoring in what we would call 'extra innings' but they call a 'showdown?' The answer to each question is: MOST CERTAINLY! The competition is very much real. Pitchers are trying to strike out batters; batters are swinging for the fences; runners are trying to take the extra base; and fielders are trying to get outs – even if they add a whole lot of flair to the process. In the concourse after a game in Mesa, Arizona, one Banana player told me that he was happy they had won that night, as they had now won the series, which took a little pressure off of the next day's game. Another remarked that last season's seven-game losing streak to the Firefighters still stuck in his craw. When a Banana hit a hard shot into hole at short, he busted down the line, and was none-too-pleased when the throw beat him by half a step. You could see the player's frustration from the press box. Just because he was wearing a bright yellow uniform and the game had a clock and the first base coach was breakdancing, doesn't mean that the competitive zeal with which he has played the game his entire life went away. But, within seconds of heading back to the dugout, the frown was gone, and his smile was back. There was no thrown helmet or pouting on the bench. In fact, by the time he was back among his teammates, he was once again part of the party. But while in the batter's box and while running down that line, his fire burned just as hot as if there were twenty scouts in the stands judging his every movement. [It should be noted that no one actually sits in the dugout. Every coach and player is in front of the dugout enjoying the party as much as the fans in the stands.] Jesse and Emily have grand plans to grow their game. This summer they will be in 40 cities covering 28 states plus Washington, D.C. They currently have five teams, and are looking to add a sixth. The resumes and videos keep pouring in. There is no longer a dearth of players to choose from. But, as they have from day one, they will be persnickety and exacting, discovering players that are 'genuinely positive, happy, and outgoing…who understand that you know our job is to bring joy.' Never resting on their laurels, they continue to be on the hunt for the perfect bunch of Bananas.
