Van Pelt: Patriots' Jacoby Brissett "is our starter"

Despite drafting UNC quarterback Drake Maye with the third overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Patriots have remained relatively firm on having offseason signee Brissett operate as their starting quarterback entering the season. Van Pelt's announcement is relevant given Maye's recent promotion to QB2 over teammate Bailey Zappe in practices, but it sounds like the Pats are committed to having Maye sit behind Brissett for a fair amount of time.

Given what fans saw from the team's pass-catching corps a season ago, it might not necessarily be a bad thing to have Maye wait to take his turn under center. Second- and fourth-round picks Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker could help turn things around, but the Pats finished the 2023 season with arguably the weakest wide receiver room in the league.

Brissett has looked good when given the chance to play over the past few seasons. He out-performed Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson while bridging the gap during the latter's 2022 suspension, and posted elite efficiency numbers (12.3 adjusted yards per attempt) in his brief appearances with the Commanders a season ago. If he continues to play well, we may not see Maye until the 2025 NFL season.