One of many NFL’s most intriguing coaching camp battles appears to have an early chief.
New Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo indicated that veteran Jacoby Brissett is presently slated as New England’s QB1 over rookie Drake Maye whereas talking with media Tuesday because the crew opened coaching camp.
“It’s clear Jacoby (Brissett) is probably the most professional prepared,” Mayo mentioned.
The 31-year-old Brissett returned to the Patriots on a one-year, $8 million contract this offseason after spending the final 4 years on 4 totally different squads.
Brissett was drafted by New England within the third spherical in 2016, in the end beginning two contests as a rookie as Tom Brady was suspended for Deflategate.
Though Brissett was inked as a bridge choice, the Patriots had been steadfast of their curiosity in securing the quarterback of the long run through the NFL Draft.
Government vp of participant personnel Eliot Wolf did simply that, eschewing a number of commerce affords — together with from the Giants — to take Maye out of North Carolina at No. 3 total.
The 21-year-old’s mixture of arm expertise, measurement and athleticism is tantalizing, although he was considered uncooked following a considerably down 2023 season.
In his remaining 12 months with the Tar Heels, Maye accomplished 63.3 % of his passes for 3,608 yards, throwing 24 touchdowns and 9 interceptions whereas working for 449 yards.
The 12 months earlier than, although, he was at a 66.2 % completion clip, 4,321 yards and 38 touchdowns, together with 698 yards on the bottom.
The Patriots are in quest of solutions at quarterback after 2021 first-round choose Mac Jones fizzled out with two straight unsuccessful years in Foxborough after a promising rookie season.
New England dealt Jones to the Jaguars for a sixth-round choose in March.
Since Tom Brady left the Patriots for Tampa Bay in 2020, the crew hasn’t loved a lot sustained success beneath heart.
Between Jones, Cam Newton, Brian Hoyer, Bailey Zappe and Jarrett Stidham, Patriots quarterbacks have thrown for 71 touchdowns in comparison with 62 interceptions within the final 4 seasons — the fourth-most amongst any crew in that span.
After ending 4-13 — the franchise’s worst file since 1992 — the Patriots are optimistic that the tandem of Maye and Mayo will dramatically flip the script, even when not instantly.
The Patriots start their 2024 preseason on Aug. 8 towards the Carolina Panthers.
