After a 1-4 start, head coach Jerod Mayo benched veteran Jacoby Brissett, acknowledging the need for a change.
“We have to look at every single unit and every single player and figure out how we use this roster to go out there and win games,” Mayo said earlier this week. The decision comes as the Patriots rank near the bottom of the league in offense, averaging just 12.4 points per game — a mark that has left fans and analysts calling for Maye to take over.
The future is now in New England: Sources say the #Patriots are planning to start Drake Maye against the #Texans, the first start for the No. 3 overall pick.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 8, 2024
Jacoby Brissett, who started the first five games, heads to the bench. pic.twitter.com/NrQQG65A0r
Brissett struggled to generate any consistency behind a patchwork offensive line and a wide receiver group that ranks last in the NFL in both catches and yards.
With just 696 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception through five games, Brissett’s efforts weren’t enough to lift the team out of its slump.
Mayo had previously been cautious about starting Maye too soon, wary of putting the rookie in a difficult situation. However, after four straight losses, including a 15-10 defeat to the Miami Dolphins in Week 5, the coach made the call to give Maye his shot.
The Drake Maye era begins. pic.twitter.com/eOIvc8HhNf
— NFL (@NFL) October 8, 2024
Drake Maye, the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, will make his first career start this Sunday against the Houston Texans.
At 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, Maye brings a combination of size, arm strength, and mobility that the Patriots hope will energize their offense.
While he faces the same challenges Brissett did — a shaky offensive line and limited receiving options — the move signals the team’s willingness to embrace a fresh direction.
Photo Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
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