Patriots agree to terms with veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett
The New England Patriots have a new quarterback, agreeing to terms with Jacoby Brissett. The deal is for one-year and worth $8 million, per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.
Coming off a 4-13 season, the Patriots are changing up their quarterback room by trading former first round pick Mac Jones to Jacksonville. Bailey Zappe remains on the roster but it’s not known if the team will move on from him before the draft.
The 32-year old will give New England options on how they want to handle the position. Brissett gives the team the ability to use him as bridge quarterback for a year as a rookie quarterback develops. Another path is that a rookie wins the job out of training camp and Brissett acts as a backup veteran who can be a mentor.
New England has the third overall pick and while reports are all over the place, it is consistent they will likely draft a quarterback in the one of the first two rounds.
This fit makes a lot of sense as Brissett was originally drafted by the Patriots in 2016 and new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt knows him from his time with the Cleveland Browns.
Last season, Brissett didn’t start in any games. He appeared in three games and completed 18 passes on 23 attempts with the Washington Commanders. The former third round pick is not going to shred defenses, but his value comes by the familiarity and knowing his role in the quarterback room. Brissett will be able to share his knowledge with any rookie signal caller that ends up being drafted.
Commanders quarterback Sam Howell was benched last season, struggling by throwing interceptions and Brissett took over during games. The veteran reflected on his role when it came to the rookie after the game in late December as transcribed by Pro Football Talk.
“I know from being in this league, man, the good ones find a way to get to the other side. No matter how long it takes, how hard it is. You surround yourself with good people. I hope he leans on me as one of those good people that will help him get through this because I know I will,” Brissett said at his postgame press conference.
That type of mentorship will be valuable not just in the quarterback room but the locker room as well. Currently the other quarterbacks on the roster includes Zappe and Nathan Rourke.
