Patriots tab veteran Jacoby Brissett as starting QB over rookie Drake Maye

Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Jacoby Brissett will be the New England Patriots' starting quarterback to kick off the 2024 NFL season, coach Jerod Mayo announced Thursday. Brissett was battling rookie Drake Maye for starting duties.

"I have decided Jacoby Brissett will be our starting quarterback this season," Mayo told reporters. "In saying that, as an organization, we're 100% behind Jacoby."

Mayo said he spoke to both players separately and together and said they are "all on the same page from an organizational perspective." He said the Patriots considered short-term and long-term strategies when deciding between Maye and Brissett.

The first-year head coach ultimately said that Brissett gave the team the "best chance to win right now." He did not rule out Maye starting at some point during the season.

"I don't want to get into hypotheticals," Mayo said. "We can't go into the season saying, 'well he is going to go X amount of weeks.'

"As long as Jacoby is going out there performing the way we all have confidence in him doing, he will be our quarterback this season."

Maye, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, completed 21 of 34 (61.8%) of his throws for 192 yards and a score in the preseason. Brissett completed 5 of 14 (35.7%) of his throws for 36 yards and an interception.

The veteran quarterback, who signed a one-year deal with the Patriots in March, completed 18 of 23 passes (78.3%) of his throws for 224 yards and three scores over three appearances last season for the Washington Commanders. He completed 64% of his throws for 2,608 yards, 12 scores and six interceptions over 16 appearances in 2022 for the Cleveland Browns.

Brissett owns an 18-30 record over 48 career starts.

The Patriots will open the season against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 8 in Cincinnati.