With three preseason games in the book, head coach Jerod Mayo and the Patriots coaching staff have finally named their starting quarterback for Week 1. After a ferocious battle between veteran Jacoby Brissett and third-overall pick Drake Maye, New England will send out the veteran Brissett when they face the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, September 8th.
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
Report: Patriots Announce Jacoby Brissett As Week 1 Starting Quarterback
After suffering through Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe last year, the Patriots aggressively addressed the starting quarterback position throughout the offseason. The team signed Jacoby Brissett to a one-year deal knowing he could be a competent short-term starter if he had to be. New England traded Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars shortly thereafter and used the third-overall pick on UNC’s Drake Maye.
Maye first made a name for himself during the 2022 collegiate season. During his first year under center, the quarterback completed 66.2% of his passes for 4,321 yards, 38 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while establishing himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the game. His production took a dip in 2023, as he recorded jus t3,608 yards and 24 touchdowns while throwing nine interceptions. However, Maye had an atrocious supporting cast and became the first top-three quarterback in history to not have a single offensive teammate selected in the top 100 of the same draft.
Despite the high investment, head coach Jerod Mayo insisted early on that Jacoby Brissett would be the Patriots starting quarterback. However, he changed his tune following an impressive preseason performance by Maye. While his overall stats (6-11 for 47 yards and a rushing touchdown) don’t jump off the page, he made multiple great throws that his teammates could not bring in.
Here’s the A22 shot of Drake Maye’s throw to Javon Baker. A beauty. pic.twitter.com/WfNwTFCdoK
— Mike Kadlick (@mikekadlick) August 16, 2024
Following that contest, Mayo opened the door for Maye to be the Patriots starting quarterback. This uncertainty continued into the preseason finale with Jacoby Brissett starting the game, but Maye entered shortly thereafter.
Main Photo: Kris Craig – USA Today Sports
