Patriots' Jacoby Brissett to start, Drake Maye to play preseason finale

Quarterback Jacoby Brissett will start the Patriots' preseason finale against the Washington Commanders on Sunday before being replaced by rookie Drake Maye, New England first-year head coach Jerod Mayo announced. Mayo also noted on Friday that quarterbacks Joe Milton III and Bailey Zappe will draw into the game as well. "Jacoby is going to start the game off," Mayo told reporters. "Drake will play as well. Joe will play as well. Now, you guys can sleep. Bailey will play. We do have some players dealing with small things that probably won't play and get ready for the regular season -- some of our proven players." Mayo has yet to announce which quarterback will start the Patriots' season opener against the host Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 8. Brissett, 31, is in his ninth NFL season and second go-round with the Patriots after stops in Indianapolis, Miami, Cleveland and Washington. He has appeared in 79 games and is 18-30 as a starter, completing 61.3 percent of his passes for 10,574 yards with 51 touchdowns and 23 interceptions. Maye, who turns 22 next week, was the No. 3 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft in April. He was a two-year starter at North Carolina. --Field Level Media