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The New England Patriots quarterback room enters the 2026 NFL season with optimism, stability, and high expectations. After an impressive 2025 campaign, franchise quarterback Drake Maye is preparing for his third NFL season under offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Following a Super Bowl appearance and an MVP race that came down to a single vote, the Patriots believe their young signal-caller is ready to take another leap.
With training camp set to begin on July 24, New England has built its roster around Maye, giving him better protection and more explosive playmakers. The biggest question now is whether the quarterback room has enough depth to support another championship push.
Drake Maye Leads the Patriots Into 2026
Drake Maye is unquestionably the face of the Patriots’ offense. The 23-year-old transformed a team that finished 4-13 into an AFC powerhouse last season. His combination of arm strength, mobility, and improved decision-making helped New England reach the Super Bowl while establishing himself among the league’s elite quarterbacks.
Heading into 2026, the Patriots have invested heavily in supporting Maye. The front office added star wide receiver A.J. Brown, acquired dependable target Romeo Doubs, and selected athletic tight end Eli Raridon in the NFL Draft. These additions significantly strengthen the passing attack.
Protection has also improved. Veteran guard Alijah Vera-Tucker joined the offensive line, while first-round tackle Caleb Lomu and sixth-round selection Dametrious Crownover provide long-term stability up front.
With an upgraded supporting cast, expectations for Maye are higher than ever.
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Patriots Quarterback Depth Chart
The Patriots enter training camp with three quarterbacks competing for roster spots:
- Starter: Drake Maye
- Primary Backup: Tommy DeVito
- Third Quarterback: Behren Morton (Rookie)
Tommy DeVito moved into the backup role after Joshua Dobbs departed during the offseason. New England quickly re-signed DeVito, signaling confidence in his ability to step in if necessary.
Meanwhile, rookie Behren Morton showed encouraging development throughout offseason practices. His workload increased during mandatory minicamp, demonstrating the coaching staff’s growing trust in the seventh-round draft pick.
Can the Patriots Trust Their Backup Quarterbacks?
One of the biggest concerns entering training camp is quarterback depth behind Drake Maye.
Although Maye started all 17 games last season, he has dealt with several head-related injuries during his first two NFL seasons. He suffered a concussion as a rookie and underwent concussion evaluations twice during the 2025 campaign after taking hard hits against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans.
Those incidents highlight the importance of having a reliable backup.
Tommy DeVito has proven he can handle pressure. During the 2023 season with the New York Giants, he led the team to three consecutive victories, defeating the Washington Commanders, New England Patriots, and Green Bay Packers. His game-winning drive against Green Bay earned him NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
While DeVito is capable of managing games, the Patriots’ offense becomes more conservative whenever he replaces Maye. The coaching staff hopes another year in Josh McDaniels’ system will help him become a more dependable spot starter.
Rookie Behren Morton also represents an intriguing developmental option. If his growth continues during training camp and preseason, he could eventually challenge for the backup role. Otherwise, New England may explore veteran options later in the season if injuries become an issue.
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Josh McDaniels Could Unlock Maye’s Next Level
Perhaps the biggest X-factor for the Patriots offense is offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
Entering his second season in McDaniels’ offensive system, Drake Maye is showing significant progress in understanding defensive coverages, pre-snap adjustments, and overall offensive operation.
Quarterbacks coach Ashton Grant recently emphasized that the coaching staff wants every quarterback to become more than simply talented passers.
Their goal is to develop complete offensive operators capable of reading defenses, adjusting protections, and making faster decisions before and after the snap.
McDaniels has echoed that confidence, stating Maye understands the offense far better than he did one year ago. Throughout spring practices, the young quarterback handled faster tempos and more complex defensive looks with greater confidence.
His leadership has also become evident. Rookie tackle Caleb Lomu revealed that Maye has consistently helped him adjust to the NFL since arriving in New England.
Those qualities suggest Maye is developing into not only the Patriots’ franchise quarterback but also one of the team’s primary leaders.
The Patriots’ quarterback room enters the 2026 season with one clear strength—Drake Maye.
If Maye remains healthy, New England possesses the talent to compete for another Super Bowl. Improved weapons, a stronger offensive line, and another offseason under Josh McDaniels give the Patriots every reason to expect continued offensive growth.
The only lingering concern remains quarterback depth. Tommy DeVito and rookie Behren Morton must prove they can keep the offense competitive if Maye misses time.
Ultimately, the Patriots’ championship hopes will depend on Maye continuing his rapid development and McDaniels maximizing the potential of one of the NFL’s brightest young quarterbacks.
