The Patriots have landed on a starting quarterback with one week remaining until the start of the regular season. Jacoby Brissett will get the nod for Week 1, head coach Jerod Mayo announced on Thursday. 
“I have decided Jacoby Brissett will be our starting quarterback this season,” the first-year head coach said when confirming the decision (via ESPN’s Mike Reiss). “As an organization, we’re 100% behind Jacoby.”
The 31-year-old returned to New England this offseason on a one-year, $8MM contract in free agency. That pact gave the team a veteran capable of serving as a bridge starter, but after trading away Mac Jones it was clear the Patriots would draft a quarterback in April. Turning aside considerable trade interest for the No. 3 pick, the team remained in place and selected Drake Maye. The North Carolina product will begin his NFL career as a backup given today’s news.
To no surprise, Brissett entered training camp atop the depth chart with Maye acclimating to the pro level in general and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt‘s scheme in particular. His success in doing so allowed him to surpass Bailey Zappe as the team’s backup, and continued development over the course of the summer created a genuine competition for the QB1 gig. Mayo noted on multiple occasions during the preseason that Maye closed the gap on Brissett, and he acknowledged earlier this week that the rookie had been the team’s better performer during their exhibition contests. Brissett’s experience will see him take the reins for at least the beginning of the campaign, though.
Jones had an encouraging rookie season, but his play dropped off significantly over the past two seasons. Dealing him to the Jaguars allowed for a fresh start for the former first-rounder, but he left the Patriots in need of a new long-term investment at the position. Maye had a more impressive 2022 campaign than he did last year, but his age and upside could allow him to serve as a starter for the long term. As is the case with many rookies, of course, Maye could still find himself in the lineup midway through his first season.
“I think it’s important to remember, what’s good for the team today may not be good for the team weeks down the line,’ Mayo added. “I think the challenge is you want to win every single game now, but also you’re trying to build something special. So to me, that was a challenge.”
On the books through at least 2027 (with the potential for another season via the fifth-year option), Maye will have plenty of opportunities to cement himself as New England’s starter. For the time being, however, the Patriots’ offense – a unit which has seen a number of new arrivals in the pass-catching corps and faces questions up front – will be led by Brissett. The veteran’s free agent stock will be determined by his play when on the field and how long into the 2024 season he will be able to maintain his place atop the depth chart.
