NFL Trade Rumors: New England Patriots Name Jacoby Brissett Starting Quarterback

The New England Patriots have elected to take their time with their young quarterback. Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, head coach Jerod Mayo informed Patriots players that veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett will be the team's Week 1 starter while rookie Drake Maye will serve as backup.

Now official: #Patriots coach Jerod Mayo informed players in a team meeting that Jacoby Brissett is the starting QB, while Drake Maye will be his backup.

Brissett told @nflnetwork in August, “I'm the perfect person to mentor the guys, but I'm also the perfect person to start.” pic.twitter.com/8shBRZwWHD
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 29, 2024

Brissett and Maye have been in a quarterback competition throughout the offseason and training camp. The Patriots selected Maye third overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, intending to groom him into their eventual franchise quarterback. Brissett signed with the Patriots in March on a one-year, $8 million deal. He also has a long history with the team dating back to 2016, when the Patriots drafted him with the 91st overall pick.

Mayo previously claimed that whichever quarterback played better through the preseason would become the team's starter and even recently stated Maye had outplayed Brissett through the preseason.

Outplaying Brissett wasn't a high bar for Maye to clear. In his eight seasons as a backup and occasional starter, Brissett has compiled an 18-30 record across five different teams with 5.64 net yards per passing attempt.

Still, sitting Maye makes sense for the Patriots, even if he has outplayed Brissett. They finished tied for last in points scored in 2023 with 13.9 per game and did little to radically improve their roster this offseason. The dearth of talent the Patriots are fielding at wide receiver and offensive line could sabotage even the most accomplished quarterback.

If the Patriots offense remains unsalvagable, Maye could be better off staying on the bench as long as possible. Unfortunately, the Patriots can't protect Maye forever. If Brissett stumbles, calls to start Maye will grow deafening, and he'll be tasked with overcoming a deeply flawed roster. For Maye's sake, the Patriots may have to endure a potentially ugly 2024 regular season.