Report: Jerod Mayo, Patriots name Jacoby Brissett as starting QB, rookie Drake Maye at backup

The quarterback competition is reportedly over in New England. Jerod Mayo and the Patriots have informed the team that Jacoby Brissett is going to be the team’s starting quarterback to open the season, per Ian Rapoport.

Drake Maye, who the Patriots took with the third overall pick in the NFL Draft, is going to open the season as the backup. The rookie quarterback, of course, remains the future of the franchise but for now, Mayo has decided that it’s best to give him time to develop.

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Jacoby Brissett has been in the NFL since 2016 when he was a third round pick out of NC State. He spent that first season with the Patriots, winning a Super Bowl, before being traded to the Indianapolis Colts ahead of the 2017 season. He has since played for the Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, and Washington Commanders as well.

This offseason, Brissett returned to New England with the expectation that he would start for the Patriots. He’d bring a veteran presence to the offense while the young quarterback, who ended up being Drake Maye following the NFL Draft, would sit and learn behind him at first.

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In August, Brissett shared his thoughts on that role with New England, saying, “I’m the perfect person to mentor the guys, but I’m also the perfect person to start.”

Despite the plan always being that Brissett would start, there was a competition in New England. Maye made it a difficult decision for Mayo and the Patriots, showing promise in both camp and during the preseason games.

Brissett left the final Patriots preseason game with a shoulder injury. However, it was not a major issue and Mayo said after the game that he could have continued in the game if need be.

The Patriots are expected to go through a rebuild this season. In particular, the team has struggled mightily along the offensive line during the offseason and in preseason games. Meanwhile, the wide receivers are young and largely unproven. It’s going to be Brissett’s job to try and win with that group while Maye develops for the future.

There is always time for the Patriots to move to Drake Maye at some point in the middle of the season. For now, though, the keys to the offense are going to be in the veteran’s hands.

In Week 1, the New England Patriots will travel to the Cincinnati Bengals for an early road test.