The New England Patriots are retaining Tommy DeVito as their third-string quarterback for the 2026 NFL season, according to CBS Sports. Drake Maye and Joshua Dobbs are both already under contract for 2026, locking in the top two spots before free agency opens.
Patriots Quarterback Depth Chart for 2026
New England enters the 2026 offseason with three quarterbacks under contract. Drake Maye holds the No. 1 spot as the franchise starter. Joshua Dobbs is signed as the No. 2 option. DeVito fills the emergency third role.
DeVito held that same emergency designation across multiple game-day activations last season. CBS Sports confirmed his retention as a direct result of Maye and Dobbs already being under deal — not as the outcome of a competitive evaluation. The numbers reveal a quarterback room that was assembled through contract continuity rather than open audition.
New England carries a conventional three-man quarterback room, a structure common across the AFC East. A low-cost emergency quarterback behind a young franchise passer is standard roster management in today’s NFL. CBS Sports reported DeVito’s spot as confirmed ahead of the league’s open market period.
DeVito served as New England’s emergency quarterback across multiple game-day activations during the prior NFL season. CBS Sports documented his emergency QB designations in the wild-card round, the divisional round, and the Super Bowl, along with regular-season appearances that included Week 17 and a Sunday Night Football contest.
That activation pattern is not typical for a third-string quarterback. Most No. 3 quarterbacks sit inactive on game day. DeVito dressed for playoff games through the Super Bowl. Film from those sideline activations shows a staff comfortable enough with his command of the system to keep him in uniform through a full postseason run — a meaningful distinction from a pure depth placeholder.
His familiarity with the offensive scheme, built over a full season of practice repetitions, factored into the retention decision based on CBS Sports reporting. Repeated game-day elevations carry real signal: a coaching staff dresses a quarterback it trusts to step in without disrupting the system when needed. Five documented activations — two regular-season and three postseason — constitute a verifiable usage record, not a courtesy roster spot.
Key Developments in the Patriots Quarterback Room
DeVito is confirmed to stay with New England as the No. 3 quarterback for 2026.
Drake Maye is under contract for 2026 and holds the starting position.
Joshua Dobbs is under contract for 2026 as the No. 2 quarterback behind Maye.
DeVito received emergency QB designations during the wild-card round, divisional round, and Super Bowl in the prior postseason.
DeVito also held the emergency designation in regular-season games, including Week 17 and a Sunday Night Football matchup.
What This Means for Patriots Roster Strategy in 2026
Retaining DeVito signals that the front office views the quarterback room as complete for now. With Maye, Dobbs, and DeVito all under contract, New England can direct cap resources toward other position groups — offensive line depth, pass-rush additions, or wide receiver targets — rather than spending on a fourth option at the position.
The Dobbs signing as a veteran backup gives the coaching staff a credible game-manager if Maye misses time. DeVito’s emergency role during the postseason run, including the Super Bowl, shows the Patriots trust him to step in without disrupting the offensive scheme if both Maye and Dobbs are unavailable. That layered insurance structure costs the club minimal cap space while covering an unlikely but real roster contingency.
From a fantasy football angle, DeVito carries no standalone value in standard leagues. His snap count in normal game conditions is effectively zero. His confirmed roster spot does clarify the depth chart for managers who roster Maye in dynasty or keeper formats — the backup infrastructure behind the franchise quarterback is fully mapped for 2026.
New England’s three-quarterback structure keeps costs low at the position. That cap efficiency gives the front office room to pursue upgrades elsewhere during the draft and free agency calendar. CBS Sports reported the arrangement as settled, with all three quarterbacks locked in ahead of the league’s open market period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots in 2026?
Drake Maye is the No. 1 quarterback for New England in 2026. He is already under contract and holds the franchise starter designation, according to CBS Sports.
What is Tommy DeVito’s role on the Patriots roster?
Tommy DeVito is the No. 3 quarterback for New England in 2026. He serves as the emergency quarterback behind Drake Maye and Joshua Dobbs, a role he held across multiple game-day activations last season including playoff games through the Super Bowl.
Is Joshua Dobbs under contract with the Patriots for 2026?
Yes. Joshua Dobbs is under contract with New England for 2026 as the No. 2 quarterback, according to CBS Sports.
Does Tommy DeVito have fantasy football value in 2026?
DeVito carries no standalone fantasy value in standard leagues. His snap count in normal game conditions is effectively zero. His roster spot is relevant only for dynasty or keeper managers tracking the depth chart behind Drake Maye.
Marcus Cole is a former college quarterback who has spent over 12 years covering the NFL as a sportswriter. After playing four seasons at the collegiate level, he transitioned to journalism and quickly earned a reputation for breaking down complex play designs in plain English. His work has been featured in regional sports publications across the South, and he has covered six Super Bowls from the press box. Marcus specializes in offensive scheme analysis, quarterback evaluations, and draft coverage.
