Former Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton is chasing a Patriots roster spot after a sharp rookie minicamp and a decorated Red Raiders career.
Behren Morton is officially in New England, and the former Texas Tech quarterback isn’t walking into Foxborough like some wide-eyed seventh-round tourist.
The Patriots took Morton with the No. 234 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, giving the Red Raiders standout a shot to fight for a roster spot behind Drake Maye and Tommy DeVito.
No one’s throwing around ridiculous Tom Brady comparisons, but late-round quarterbacks in New England always come with a little extra noise.
Morton is used to big shadows. He grew up watching Texas Tech quarterbacks like Graham Harrell before later following the Patrick Mahomes era from afar.
Then he built his own résumé in Lubbock, starting 36 of 45 career games and throwing 71 touchdowns. As a senior in 2025, he helped push Texas Tech into the College Football Playoff.
That matters. Morton isn’t just some camp arm with a clipboard dream. He was a two-time captain, a tough leader and one of the most productive quarterbacks in Red Raiders history.
Over his final two seasons, he threw 49 touchdowns against only 14 interceptions and became the first Texas Tech quarterback to post back-to-back seasons with 2,500 passing yards and eight or fewer picks.
His 26 wins as a starter trail only Harrell’s 37 in school history.
Now comes the NFL grind.
Morton reportedly made a strong first impression during Patriots rookie minicamp as the only quarterback on the field.
He showed accuracy, timing and command, including a clean 11-on-11 stretch without an incompletion. That doesn’t win a roster spot in May, but it gets people watching.
His path is clear but not easy. Maye is the franchise quarterback. DeVito, who signed a two-year extension, is positioned as the top backup after Joshua Dobbs was released.
That likely leaves Morton battling to stick as the third quarterback.
The good news? Morton already knows Maye from their Elite 11 days, and he’s leaning into the chance to learn instead of forcing the issue. He’s also bringing that small-town Texas edge, shaped by playing for his father, James Morton, at Eastland High School.
Morton has said he admired Brett Favre’s chip-on-the-shoulder style growing up.
That fits. Because in New England, nothing gets handed to seventh-rounders. Behren Morton has to steal every rep.
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