In the realm of NFL quarterbacking, a debate is brewing in New England. Should the Patriots open the 2024 season with veteran Jacoby Brissett at the helm, or hand the reins to rookie sensation Drake Maye?In the realm of NFL quarterbacking, a debate is brewing in New England. Should the Patriots open the 2024 season with veteran Jacoby Brissett at the helm, or hand the reins to rookie sensation Drake Maye? While some fans clamor for Maye, the No. 3 overall pick in the upcoming draft, there are compelling arguments for Brissett’s experience and steady hand. Former Patriots quarterback Brian Hoyer, a close friend of Brissett’s, believes the veteran should start while mentoring Maye. Brissett, who has a reputation for leadership and camaraderie, appears to have the support of his teammates. Center David Andrews credits him with helping the team assimilate offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt’s new system. ESPN analyst Ryan Clark echoes Hoyer’s sentiment, emphasizing Brissett’s ability to start and win games while simultaneously nurturing a young quarterback’s development. Despite his nomadic career, Brissett’s experience as a stopgap quarterback for the Colts, Browns, and Dolphins could prove invaluable for the Patriots. Mike Tannenbaum, a former NFL executive, believes Brissett’s stability and 78 career starts make him the ideal choice for a rookie head coach like Jerod Mayo. Recent reports indicate that the Patriots are leaning towards starting Brissett, recognizing that Maye has yet to prove his readiness. As the team navigates the complexities of grooming a future franchise quarterback, Brissett’s leadership, experience, and unwavering support could prove pivotal.
Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye will likely compete for the Patriots’ quarterback job in training camp. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
The push to make Drake Maye the Patriots’ starting quarterback at the start of the 2024 season also appears to be growing among those outside the team in recent weeks.
But as fans may be pushing for the Patriots to start with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, there are still those who are pushing back on that idea. Former Patriots quarterback Brian Hoyer is one of them. During an appearance on ESPN’s “NFL Live” last week, Hoyer made the case for Jacoby Brissett to become the team’s starting quarterback while taking first-team reps during organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamp.
“Jacoby is like a little brother to me. We were teammates. We’re friends,” Hoyer said. “The Patriots immediately signed Jacoby as a starter, knowing they were drafting a quarterback with that pick because he is capable and has played a lot of football. He is very endearing to his teammates; they love him. He is the perfect man to sign Drake Maye to guide.”
Brissett appears to be popular with his Patriots teammates early in his second stint in New England. In fact, center David Andrews credited Brissett with helping the team learn offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt’s new playbook and system in May.
That kind of leadership is part of the reason why fellow ESPN analyst Ryan Clark also believes Brissett should be the Patriots’ starting quarterback to open 2024.
“I believe Jerod Mayo is going to be smart. I believe he understands the players in that locker room and what it means when you get on the field a little too early, and your confidence gets a little shaken when things don’t start out the right way,” Clark added on “NFL Live.” “They have the perfect bridge quarterback. You heard some of the traits that Brian described as Jacoby Brissett, someone who can start, someone who can win football games. But he also has the humility to be part of a quarterback room. The chemistry is so great for a young rookie.
“When you have someone like Jacoby Brissett, who has that kind of understanding, you also have a head coach who has been a part of winning locker rooms. They understand how to guide and take a young quarterback.”
Brissett has served as a stopgap quarterback several times. He started almost the entire 2017 season for the Colts when Andrew Luck dealt with injuries, and again in 2019 when Luck suddenly announced his retirement. He started 11 games for the Browns in 2022 while Deshaun Watson served a suspension.
This also won’t be the first time Brissett has teamed up with a young quarterback selected in the top five of the draft. The Dolphins added him in 2021, pairing him with Tua Tagovailoa as he entered Year 2. He started five games for Miami that year.
While Brissett has been bounced around and put in less than ideal situations for a quarterback, Mike Tannenbaum believes that kind of experience will pay off for the Patriots.
“I have a hard time understanding why (Brissett) doesn’t start on Opening Day? He’s a guy who’s played 78 games in his career and started 48,” Tannenbaum said. “What’s the rush with Drake Maye and all these rookie quarterbacks? I love Drake Maye, I think he’s going to be great. But it’s about the next 10 years, not the next 10 weeks.
“To me, Jacoby is perfect. You have a rookie head coach, let Jerod Mayo find his way.
It appears the Patriots are moving in the direction of starting Brissett to open the year. NFL Media’s Bridget Condon recently reported that the Patriots feel Maye hasn’t shown anything yet to suggest he “absolutely” should start right away.
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