Patriots to start rookie QB Drake Maye for Sunday’s game vs. the Texans
The New England Patriots are making a change at quarterback ahead of their Week 6 game against the Houston Texans.
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo will start rookie quarterback Drake Maye and will subsequently bench veteran Jacoby Brissett.
The 22-year-old has made one appearance this season against the Jets. Maye completed 4-of-8 passes for 22 yards. He also rushed two times for 12 yards.
Brissett complied a 1-4 record this season as a starter. He completed 58.5 percent of his passes for 696 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, which was good for a 74.2 passer rating.
“It just wasn’t good enough,” Mayo said of Brissett’s performance. “I thought we played well enough defensively and on special teams to win the football game. Look, as the quarterback—and he understands this—he touches the ball on every single play, and we didn’t win the game or score enough points to win the game. I think he would echo that same sentiment that it wasn’t good enough.”
The Patriots are making a switch amid the team’s four-game losing streak. Maye will need to navigate the Patriots offense with a below-average offensive line to protect him, no true offensive weapons, and an inexperienced coaching staff.
Opposing quarterbacks have struggled against the Texans defense this season. Over the first five weeks, the Texans defense has held quarterbacks to a 51.7 completion percentage, 154.6 yards per game, nine touchdowns, three interceptions, and an 81.6% QB rating.
New England’s offense has struggled under new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. The Patriots rank No. 31 in points and No. 31 in yards. Houston enters Sunday's matchup in Foxboro, leading the AFC South with a 4-1 record. New England will look to earn its first win since its upset victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in its season opener.
