Patriots reportedly sign veteran QB Joshua Dobbs, WR Mack Hollins

Dobbs has now played for 10 different teams in the NFL.

Joshua Dobbs has now played for 10 different teams in the NFL. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

March 10, 2025

2 minutes to read

The New England Patriots are reportedly adding another backup quarterback and wideout to their depth chart.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Patriots have signed veteran QB Joshua Dobbs to a two-year, $8 million contract, with $3.8 million fully guaranteed.

In another move, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that the Patriots signed wide receiver Mack Hollins to a two-year, $8.4 million contract.

Dobbs adds some more veteran stability to a talented — but young — QB room in New England that currently features Drake Maye and Joe Milton III.

Dobbs, 30, has been a journeyman during his NFL career; New England is the 10th team that he’s played for since getting taken out of Tennessee in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

Dobbs appeared in two games for the San Francisco 49ers during the 2024 season, completing 32-of-47 passes (68.1 percent) for 361 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.

The most reps he’s logged in a single season came with the Cardinals in 2023, where he threw for 1,569 yards across eight games while throwing for eight touchdowns and five interceptions.

In what has been a recurring theme with some of New England’s reported free-agent signings this week, Dobbs overlapped with Mike Vrabel at Tennessee at one point. He appeared in two games with the Titans during the 2022 season.

Dobbs’ arrival gives New England another veteran presence at QB, especially with Jacoby Brissett also hitting free agency. By signing Dobbs, the Patriots also open the door for a potential Milton trade. The second-year QB elevated his stock after an impressive showing in New England’s regular-season finale against the Bills.

Milton completed 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown in that win over Buffalo.

Last month, ESPN’s Aaron Schatz mentioned Milton as a possible trade chip for teams in need of a young QB.

“If New England can turn three more years of a sixth-round pick into four more years of a third- or fourth-round pick, that’s usually going to be a win for a roster,” Schatz wrote. “Especially when the only playing time Milton had during the regular season was a finale game against backups because the Patriots already have their quarterback of the future in Drake Maye.”

Hollins, 31, spent the 2024 season with the Bills, reeling in 31 passes for 378 yards and five touchdowns.

Hollins has some ties to current Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, as he put together his best NFL season during his 2022 campaign with the Las Vegas Raiders. That season, he finished with 57 receptions, 690 yards, and five touchdowns.

Even though he’s not a No. 1 wideout, Hollins’ size (6-foot-4, 221 pounds) should give Drake Maye a big-bodied outside receiver moving forward. Hollins joins a Patriots wideout room that also includes Kendrick Bourne, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Javon Baker.