New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo has officially named Jacoby Brissett as the team’s starting quarterback, opting for the seasoned veteran over rookie Drake Maye, who was the No. 3 overall pick in the recent draft.
“We’ve made the decision, or rather I’ve made the decision, that Jacoby Brissett will be our starting quarterback this season,” Mayo announced on Thursday. “As an organization, we are fully committed to Jacoby. There’s no internal debate or uncertainty—Jacoby is our guy.”
Brissett has held the starting role throughout spring training and camp, but the quarterback competition intensified in recent weeks. According to Mayo, once Maye began to assert himself more on the field, the gap between the two quarterbacks narrowed significantly, with Maye even outperforming Brissett at times during that period.
Despite Maye’s strong push, Brissett’s familiarity with the Patriots’ system and his overall performance since spring played a crucial role in Mayo’s final decision. When asked whether Maye would be sidelined for an extended period, Mayo avoided speculating. “I don’t want to delve into hypotheticals,” he said. “We’re not entering the season with a predetermined plan for how many weeks Jacoby will start. As long as he performs to the level we believe he can, he’ll be our quarterback this season.”
Mayo revealed that he had one-on-one conversations with both quarterbacks and also met with them together to discuss the decision.
“I believe we’re all aligned as an organization,” Mayo stated. “Many factors contributed to this decision. The challenge was balancing short-term needs with long-term goals. Ultimately, we believe Jacoby gives us the best chance to win right now.”
While Mayo had the final say, the decision followed discussions with new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt.
Brissett’s experience has been a key factor in the decision-making process. With 48 career starts, including a stint with the Cleveland Browns in 2022 under a similar offensive system, Brissett’s familiarity with the scheme is invaluable.
Van Pelt hinted last week that Brissett was likely to start, praising Maye’s impressive performance but emphasizing the importance of a gradual development process for a rookie quarterback. Van Pelt also highlighted the team’s plan to continue Maye’s development.
“Jacoby’s experience with this offense is crucial. He knows how to navigate pressure situations and use the tools available in this system—things Drake is still mastering,” Van Pelt explained. “But Drake is making great strides.”
Throughout the preseason, Brissett started all three of the Patriots’ games, logging 27 snaps and completing 5 of 14 passes for 36 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception.
In contrast, Maye played 66 snaps across the same three games, completing 21 of 34 passes for 192 yards, with one touchdown and no interceptions. He also added 32 yards and one touchdown on seven rushes.
Who will start at QB for the Patriots?
Jacoby Brissett will start at quarterback for the New England Patriots in the 2024 season. This decision was announced by head coach Jerod Mayo in August 2024.
