There’s now like a 99.99% chance the Patriots are taking a quarterback with the No. 3 pick in the draft.
That became clearer on Monday night as the offense revamp continued with the singing of former Patriot Jacoby Brisket. Tom Pelissero reported that it’s a one-year, $8 million deal. Brissett could ultimately make up to $12 million with incentives.
The stage is now set for the Pats to (most likely) take Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye. While some (me) may be worried that they will end up with the worst of the projected Top 3 guys, this is a good signing for Daniels or Maye. There’s also the possibility that they decide they don’t want to just settle for taking the third guy and they trade back, grab a receiver or tackle and end up with a Penix or JJ McCarthy while adding picks. Whoever it is, Brissett is the perfect guy in the room for this version of the Patriots.
Brissett is now the definition of a journeyman quarterback entering his ninth season with his fifth team and second stint in New England. Brissett was a third round pick of Belichick in 2016 and we all remember the two starts he made when Jimmy G went down during Brady’s suspension. He spent the next four years in Indy, starting 15 games in 2017 and 2019, going 4-11 and 7-8 those seasons. Brissett went 2-3 in Miami during the 2021 season and 4-7 in Cleveland in 2022. Last year, Brissett was in Washington where he appeared in just three games.
Brissett knows what he is at this point in his career. Whenever a rookie is ready to play – whether it’s Day 1 or in 2025 – Brissett can at least keep the team competitive and won’t turn things awkward when he eventually has to give up the job. He can continue to help Bailey Zappe develop as well – assuming Zappe sticks around as the third QB. Nathan Rourke is most likely just a camp body.
After swinging and missing at filling the hole left by Brady for four straight years, it appears the Patriots at least have a plan in place to try and fix the quarterback position. Whether it works remains to be seen, but bringing back a familiar face who knows the area and what the organization is all about is the right move.