The New England Patriots reported for training camp on Tuesday in Foxborough, Mass, and coach Jerod Mayo said veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett, 31, is the team’s “starting quarterback at this point in time.”
Mayo, who was named head coach in January after the team parted ways with Bill Belichick, was impressed by Brissett’s work during the Patriots’ offseason program and is confident that the veteran quarterback can handle the role.
The Patriots signed Brissett in March, a month before they selected former North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Mayo mentioned that Maye, in addition to backups Joe Milton and Bailey Zappe, will have opportunities to compete with Brissett for starting reps at training camp. He told reporters: “Coming out of the spring, I don’t think there is any doubt that Jacoby is the starting quarterback at this point in time .. 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. We can look at these other quarterbacks on the roster. At the same, it’s about competition. So, when we get out on the field this summer, with the pads on, we’ll see how it all plays out ..I think it’s clear that Jacoby is the most pro-ready guy we have. He’s played a lot of football.”
Brissett is entering his ninth NFL season. He began his career with the Patriots in 2016 and played three games following Jimmy Garoppolo’s shoulder injury as starter Tom Brady was suspended four games for Deflategate. He’s also played for the Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, and Washington Commanders. Last season, he threw for 224 yards and three touchdowns for the Commanders.
The Patriots will start the preseason against the Carolina Panthers on Aug. 8 in Foxborough. They will start the regular season against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 8 in Cincinnati.
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