Patriots' backup QB, depth chart grab major spotlight with Drake Maye injury concern for Super Bowl

Billy Heyen

•
Patriots' backup QB, depth chart grab major spotlight with Drake Maye injury concern for Super Bowl image

The New England Patriots are back in the Super Bowl.

It should be a joyous, exciting time for the Pats fans that have had to wait less than a decade to get back to the big game.

And well, it is, to an extent. Except for the fact that Drake Maye is hurting.

The second-year QB missed practice Friday, listed with both an illness and a right shoulder injury. The illness is new, and he had been limited earlier in the week, so he might not be in terrible shape once he gets less sick.

For now, though, with just more than a week until the big game, Maye is ceding reps at practice to other quarterbacks, something nobody in New England can be too happy about.

MORE: Drake Maye loved Cam Newton, but the former Panthers QB hates on him anyway

Who is the Patriots' backup QB?

The Patriots' backup quarterback is Joshua Dobbs.

Dobbs is a 31-year old who was a fourth-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft out of Tennessee by the Steelers.

Dobbs has made 15 starts in his NFL career (3-12 record), including with the Titans, Cardinals, Vikings and 49ers.

This season with the Pats, Dobbs has completed 7-of-10 passes for 65 yards.

He's a mobile player, a bit like Maye, but without the same ability as a passer.

If he had to play, he'd likely manage the game OK, but it'd be a big downgrade.

MORE: No one is talking about Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey's free agency

New England Patriots QB depth chart

This is how the three quarterbacks the Patriots currently have line up:

  1. Drake Maye
  2. Joshua Dobbs
  3. Tommy DeVito

DeVito is the former New York Giants' fan favorite. He has a 3-5 record as an NFL starter and would be an adequate backup for Dobbs if Dobbs had to start.

More NFL news: