ESPN NFL insider predicts Drake Maye sits behind Jacoby Brissett for NFL season

The New England Patriots declared Drake Maye the quarterback of their future when they selected him with the third overall pick in April’s NFL Draft.

But will the Maye era begin in 2024? That’s the big question in Foxboro, as New England brought in veteran signal caller Jacoby Brissett in free agency. A scenario exists where Brissett gets the keys to the offense to start the season before Maye eventually takes over, and that’s what Dan Graziano of ESPN is banking on.

Graziano wrote in his Monday column he believes Brissett will start the season under center as Maye continues to get up to speed.

“Here’s another story with an ending you already know,” Graziano wrote. “Maye was the third overall pick in this year’s draft and will be the starter eventually. But he’s still 21 years old and was viewed by many in the pre-draft process as a raw prospect who’d need time to develop. He has made some breathtaking throws in the offseason that remind you why he was picked where he was picked, but New England is a rebuilding team that believes it can give Maye as much time as he needs.

“And that’s why the Patriots have Brissett, a reliable veteran who has been everything they hoped he would be so far both as a player and as a mentor for the rookie. Brissett threw three touchdown passes in three games last season with the Commanders and turned in a solid 62 QBR as the Browns’ starter in 2022.”

Jerod Mayo gives update on QB1 battle between Drake Maye, Jacoby Brissett

Maye began spring practices working behind Brissett and Bailey Zappe but had passed Zappe on the depth chart by the end of the offseason program. With training camp underway, Mayo declared Brissett the starting quarterback for now, but left the door open for Maye depending on how he performs.

“Look, if Drake — and this goes to any position — if he comes out here and he lights it up. Once again, it goes back to quality of reps. It could absolutely happen,” Mayo said last week, via the Boston Herald. “Like, I sit here and tell you coming out of the spring, Jacoby looks like the starting quarterback. Now, with that being said, he’ll have competition. Let’s not forget about even Joe Milton. Let’s not forget about Zappe. All of those guys will have opportunities to go out there and be the starting quarterback.”