Tommy DeVito forced the Patriots' hand at quarterback, and Eliot Wolf essentially admitted it. By keeping DeVito and cutting Joshua Dobbs in the offseason, Wolf made a calculated decision about depth that says more about the organization's philosophy than it does about either backup. This isn't sentimentality. This is pragmatism wrapped in New England's current reality.
Here's the thing: Drake Maye finished second in NFL MVP voting in 2025. The kid is the future. So the backup question shouldn't matter, right? Wrong. Every contending team knows the backup matters when you're one injury away from disaster. Wolf and Mike Vrabel had to choose between DeVito and Dobbs, and they picked the guy who's already proven he can manage this offense and this locker room. DeVito's presence provides continuity. He knows the system. He knows the players. That's worth something when you're in win-now mode.
The decision also reflects what Wolf likely sees in practice and preparation. You don't keep a backup just because he had a moment last season—you keep him because he gives you the best chance to stay competitive if your starter goes down. Dobbs is talented and mobile, sure, but DeVito's familiarity with the Patriots' scheme and personnel apparently outweighed the upside of a fresh arm. It's the kind of unglamorous roster decision that separates good front offices from great ones.
This move also sends an indirect message to Maye: we're confident enough in you that we're not building a backup package designed to succeed. We're building one designed to survive. That's not a slight on Maye—it's respect. The Patriots aren't hedging their bets with their quarterback of the future. They're investing everything into keeping him healthy and on the field.
Wolf has inherited a franchise that lost its way. Keeping DeVito might seem like a minor move in April, but it's actually a statement about how this front office evaluates personnel and manages risk.
Based on reporting from Pats Pulpit.