FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Patriots coach Jerod Mayo has announced that Jacoby Brissett will be the starting quarterback for New England's season opener against Cincinnati. Brissett was chosen over rookie first-round draft pick Drake Maye after sharing snaps with him during training camp and the preseason.
Mayo informed Brissett and Maye individually before addressing the team during a meeting on Thursday morning. Mayo cited various factors that led to the decision, emphasizing that the organization believes Brissett provides the best chance to win.
It was clarified that the Patriots do not intend to rotate quarterbacks throughout the season and are fully backing Brissett. The team signed Brissett to a one-year, $8 million deal in March, bringing him back to the team that originally drafted him in 2016.
Brissett, entering his ninth NFL season, has played in 79 games with 48 starts, establishing himself as a respected veteran in the league. His experience was a key factor in the decision, as the coaching staff values his leadership and mentorship for Maye.
Despite acknowledging Maye's strong performance in the preseason, Mayo highlighted Brissett's overall experience as pivotal. This will be crucial early in the season, especially with the offensive line facing consistency issues and starting left guard Cole Strange on the physically unable to perform list due to a knee problem.
The Patriots are gearing up for their season opener with confidence in Brissett as their starting quarterback, aiming to leverage his experience and leadership to guide the team to success.
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