Brissett eager to battle Maye for Pats’ QB1 job

Mike Reiss, ESPN Staff WriterMay 1, 2024, 01:09 PM ET
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RIVERSIDE, R.I. — Veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who signed a one-year contract with the New England Patriots in March worth a base value of $8 million, said Wednesday that he looks forward to competing with No. 3 pick Drake Maye for the team’s starting job.

“That’s all out of my control, so I don’t really worry about that. I’m excited to have him on the team, and the other guys as well that we drafted and picked up. I think it’s going to be good,” he said.

“Competition brings out the best in all of us, so I’m excited about that part.”

Brissett already had a connection with Maye, having previously met him through former Washington Commanders teammate Sam Howell (who was a teammate of Maye’s at North Carolina).

“I’m a little bit familiar with him, and obviously talking to each other now that we are on the same team. So I’m sure that relationship will grow,” Brissett said.

First-year head coach Jerod Mayo has said that part of the reason the Patriots signed 31-year old Brissett was to serve as a mentor, while also acknowledging that Brissett has started 48 career NFL games and is viewed by the coaching staff as worthy of the role.

Mayo added that the team’s plan is to let competition determine who ultimately starts Week 1.

Brissett, who was taking part in a community event Wednesday in which six Patriots players furnished new apartments for youths aging out of foster care, is on board with the approach.

Asked how much he is looking forward to that competition, he said: “Of course. I wouldn’t have came if I didn’t.”

Brissett entered the NFL as a third-round pick of the Patriots in 2016 out of NC State. After training camp in 2017, he was traded to the Colts for receiver Phillip Dorsett.

He returns to New England after stints with the Colts (2017-20), Dolphins (2021), Browns (2022) and Commanders (2023).

“It’s funny, a lot of the people I played with are coaching now,” he cracked. “A lot of familiar faces, so it’s been good.”

Of the dynamic with former linebacker Mayo (2008-15) taking over for Bill Belichick as head coach, Brissett said: “It’s definitely different than when I was here last time — neither good nor bad. You can see the excitement from the guys, and from him and from the coaching staff. So I’m excited for us to keep progressing with this.”