​The New England Patriots head into the 2026 NFL season with a refreshed structure in their quarterback room. Last year, the team was led by starting quarterback and AP NFL MVP runner-up Drake Maye, who established himself as one of the league’s top players. His primary backup was Josh Dobbs, with Tommy DeVito serving as the QB3. For 2026, Maye remains the clear-cut starter, and the Patriots are poised to pursue a Super Bowl title, but the depth chart behind him will look different.
Drake Maye has proven to be a standout at the helm. At just 23 years old, he threw for 4,394 yards and led the NFL with a 72 percent completion rate. Those numbers solidified his status as one of the game’s elite quarterbacks and set the expectation that he will again carry the Patriots to high-level success in the upcoming season. The challenge for New England will be constructing a reliable and versatile support system behind Maye, capable of stepping in and maintaining competitive play if needed.
Tommy DeVito, who has served as Maye’s backing option, is being positioned as a crucial piece in the Patriots’ depth chart. DeVito brings a spark for the offense with both his arm talent and mobility, offering the team a potential alternate path to keep drives alive and create big plays when required. His experience and a track record of making impactful plays in limited opportunities make him a compelling option to bridge any gaps that may arise during a game or a stretch of the season.
The Patriots added a new quarterback to the mix in the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting Morton with the No. 234 overall pick. Morton will slot in as the QB3 for New England next season. His performance at Texas Tech in 2025 suggested he could be ready to contribute if Maye and DeVito were unavailable, providing additional security and development opportunity behind the top two.
DeVito remains the player to watch in the Patriots’ QB room. His 2023 rookie season with the New York Giants drew attention for his dynamic playmaking ability. Although DeVito is not known as a prolific passer, his energy and decision-making under pressure helped the Giants win multiple games during his six starts. In New England, his readiness at training camp and the way he answers the challenge of stepping in for Maye will significantly influence how much he can contribute as a fill-in starter in 2026.
Meanwhile, Morton’s spring performance has shown encouraging signs, and his progress in camp will be closely observed. If DeVito falters or Maye misses time, Morton could be pushed into a larger role depending on his development and the coaching staff’s assessment. The Patriots are counting on a cohesive, multi-faceted quarterback room that can adapt to a variety of game situations, with Maye as the constant at the top.
In sum, the 2026 Patriots are entering the season with a reimagined quarterback structure: Maye as the established leader, DeVito as the primary backstop who can both run and throw, and Morton as a developmental option who could step into more responsibility if circumstances demand. The offseason moves and camp performances will determine how quickly Morton emerges as a credible third option, and how DeVito’s performance in practice and preseason shapes the team’s contingency plans. The focus remains on maximizing Maye’s elite play while ensuring the quarterback room has depth, versatility, and readiness to respond to the inevitable challenges of a demanding NFL season.