Patriots HC Hints That Starting QB ‘May Not be Good for the Team’ Long-Term

New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo has named NFL veteran Jacoby Brissett as the team's starting quarterback for Week 1, choosing him over North Carolina rookie Drake Maye.

However, this decision may not be a long-term solution.

Mayo hinted that Brissett’s role as the starting quarterback could be temporary, emphasizing the importance of balancing immediate success with long-term goals.

"I think it's important to remember, what's good for the team today may not be good for the team weeks down the line," Mayo said in a press conference. "The challenge is you want to win every single game now, but also you're trying to build something special. So to me, that was a challenge."

While Mayo suggests Brissett may not be the long-term answer, he reiterated the organization’s full support for him as the starter.

"We have decided, or I have decided, that Jacoby Brissett will be our starting quarterback this season," Mayo said Thursday in an interview with ESPN. "In saying that, as an organization, we are one hundred percent behind Jacoby."

The competition between Brissett and rookie Drake Maye for the Patriots' starting quarterback spot has been one of the most intense battles of the offseason.

Despite the excitement surrounding Maye, the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, Brissett's experience and consistent play gave him the edge.

Throughout training camp, Brissett demonstrated better control of the offense, making fewer errors, and showcasing his leadership on the field—qualities expected from a nine-year veteran.

Brissett has thrown for 10,574 yards and 23 interceptions during his career.

While Maye showed flashes of brilliance with his athleticism and strong arm, his inconsistency in decision-making during crucial preseason moments ultimately worked against him.

Though Maye is likely to see some action this season and is considered the future of the franchise, for now, he will have to wait his turn as Brissett leads the team into the 2024 season.

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