10 Patriots Playing Their Way Out of New England's 2025 Plans
By Ryan Bunton
6. Jacoby Brissett
When Jacoby Brissett signed a one-year, $8 million contract to return to the franchise that drafted him, he likely knew that his future with the Patriots would be abbreviated. A former third-round pick by New England in 2016, Brissett has carved out a journeyman role in the NFL and was tabbed as a strong veteran presence and mentor for rookie quarterback Drake Maye in 2024.
Brissett started the first five games of the season for the Patriots – posting a 1-4 record before Maye took over under center. In Week 8, Brissett produced an admirable effort to lead the Patriots to a Week 8 win after Maye had to exit the game with a concussion.
In six games this season, the nine-year veteran has completed only 59.1 percent of his passes for 828 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. The Patriots averaged 12.4 points per game in the first five games that Brissett started, then improved to 18.5 points per game in Drake Maye's first two career starts.
Brissett will also likely want to gauge the market before deciding if he wants to return to New England in 2025. If there is an opportunity for Brissett to compete for a starting role elsewhere, then he would obviously prefer to pursue that chance to start.
On Monday, Brissett was asked if he felt that he is an NFL starting-caliber QB and professed his confidence in himself. Now, that could also simply be a professional athlete providing a rightfully competitive answer, but it could also provide some insight into Brissett's mindset this upcoming offseason.
Patriots QB Jacoby Brissett was asked on @WEEIAfternoons if he feels like he's one of the 32 starting-caliber quarterbacks in the NFL.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) October 28, 2024
"That's very easy," Brissett answered.
Clarified that means yes.
If there is mutual interest, the Patriots should look to bring back Brissett as a veteran backup to Maye in 2025.