Backup QBs Drew Lock and Joshua Dobbs Inspired by Super Bowl Starters

Lock and Dobbs look to follow in the footsteps of Sam Darnold and Drake Maye's success

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Drew Lock and Joshua Dobbs, the backup quarterbacks for the Super Bowl teams, are finding inspiration in the success of the starting QBs, Sam Darnold and Drake Maye. Lock, who is the backup for the Seattle Seahawks, sees Darnold's progress as motivating, while Dobbs, the backup for the New England Patriots, is looking to emulate Maye's journey.

Why it matters

Backup quarterbacks often have to step up when the starter goes down, so their ability to learn from and be inspired by the success of the starters can be crucial for their own development and the team's success. This story highlights the camaraderie and shared experiences among NFL quarterbacks, even those competing against each other on the biggest stage.

The details

Lock and Dobbs, who have both had their own journeys to the NFL, are closely watching Darnold and Maye as they lead their teams to the Super Bowl. Lock, who was a second-round pick in 2019, has been with the Seahawks for four seasons, while Dobbs, a fourth-round pick in 2017, is in his sixth year with the Patriots. Both backup QBs are eager to learn from the success of their starting counterparts and apply those lessons to their own careers.

  • The Super Bowl is scheduled for February 9, 2026.

The players

Drew Lock

The backup quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks, who was a second-round pick in 2019 and has been with the team for four seasons.

Joshua Dobbs

The backup quarterback for the New England Patriots, who was a fourth-round pick in 2017 and is in his sixth year with the team.

Sam Darnold

The starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks, who is playing in his first Super Bowl.

Drake Maye

The starting quarterback for the New England Patriots, who is playing in his first Super Bowl.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

This story highlights the camaraderie and shared experiences among NFL quarterbacks, even those competing against each other on the biggest stage. It underscores the importance of backup QBs being able to learn from and be inspired by the success of the starters, as their ability to step up when needed can be crucial for a team's success.