Jacoby Brissett might kick off the 2024 season as the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots, but his primary role on the team will be guiding the potential future face of the franchise.
In the 2024 draft, the Patriots snagged North Carolina QB Drake Maye with the third overall pick. With eight years of NFL experience under his belt, Brissett will be tasked with mentoring the rookie. This responsibility comes alongside his competition with Maye for the starting position during training camp.
Head coach Jerod Mayo has emphasized that the best quarterback among New England’s four options will start in the season opener against Cincinnati. When asked on Thursday how he plans to navigate the QB room dynamics without it being “awkward,” Brissett provided a thoughtful response.
“I’ll just be myself,” he stated. “I have no ego in this to be like ‘I should do this.’ Whatever is for me is going to happen for me. Whatever is going to happen for the next person is going to happen for the next person. It’s about being ready whenever your time comes. … I think the good thing about our room is honestly everybody wants to be the guy. Everybody’s competing to be the guy. That’s what you want.”
Brissett’s reaction shows his commitment to winning the starting spot while also supporting Maye’s development. According to The MMQB’s Albert Breer, this underscores why Brissett was the “perfect” offseason addition for New England.
“Exactly why he was the perfect signing for them,” Breer noted. “He knows how to handle these situations. He’s been in much more awkward situations than this.”
Brissett began his NFL journey with the Patriots in 2016 as the third-string quarterback behind Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo. He even started two games as a rookie amid Brady’s Deflategate suspension and a Garoppolo injury.
After being traded to the Indianapolis Colts before the 2017 season, Brissett spent four seasons in Indy before stints with the Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, and most recently the Washington Commanders.
Bringing Brissett back to New England serves dual purposes. He serves as an invaluable resource for Maye, who has already reached out to Brissett for guidance on the Pats offense. Additionally, if Maye isn’t ready, Brissett can serve as a capable bridge quarterback, preventing the team from rushing the young signal-caller into action.
With the post-Bill Belichick regime working to set up its young QB for success, Patriots fans can breathe a sigh of relief after two turbulent seasons.
