Jacoby Brissett: The Patriots' Potential Return To Back Up Drake Maye In 2025

Jacoby Brissett career timeline: From Patriots to Colts to Dolphins to

Jacoby Brissett: The Patriots' Potential Return To Back Up Drake Maye In 2025

Introduction

Jacoby Brissett has been a journeyman quarterback in the NFL, having played for the Colts, Dolphins, and now the Patriots. In 2023, he is expected to back up Mac Jones, but there is speculation that he could return to the Patriots in 2025 to back up Drake Maye. This article will examine the complexities of such a move, considering Brissett's age, contract, and performance, as well as the Patriots' quarterback situation and the potential of Maye.

Brissett's Age and Contract

Brissett will be 32 years old in 2025, which is typically considered the tail end of a quarterback's prime. However, he has shown no signs of slowing down and has been a reliable backup throughout his career. He is also under contract with the Patriots through the 2024 season, so he would need to be released or traded in order to sign with another team in 2025.

Brissett's Performance

Brissett has been a solid backup quarterback throughout his career, completing 62.3% of his passes for 7,927 yards, 49 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions. He has also rushed for 488 yards and 11 touchdowns. In 2022, he started three games for the Patriots and went 2-1, completing 60.8% of his passes for 656 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions.

The Patriots' Quarterback Situation

The Patriots have been searching for a long-term answer at quarterback since Tom Brady left in 2020. They traded up to draft Mac Jones in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, but he has yet to live up to expectations. In 2022, he regressed in several key areas, raising doubts about his ability to be the franchise quarterback. If the Patriots lose faith in Jones, they could turn to Brissett as a stopgap while they wait for Maye to develop.

Maye's Potential

Drake Maye is a highly touted quarterback prospect who is expected to be one of the top picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. He is a 6'5", 230-pound quarterback with a strong arm and good mobility. He is also a very intelligent player with a high football IQ. Maye is still only 19 years old, so he has plenty of room to grow and develop, but he has the potential to be a franchise-changing quarterback.

Conclusion

The Patriots' decision on whether or not to re-sign Brissett in 2025 will depend on a number of factors, including his age, contract, performance, the Patriots' quarterback situation, and the potential of Maye. Brissett is a reliable backup quarterback who could provide the Patriots with a solid option if Jones continues to struggle. However, Maye is a highly touted prospect with the potential to be a franchise quarterback. If the Patriots believe that Maye can be their quarterback of the future, they may be willing to let Brissett walk in 2025.

Additional Considerations

In addition to the factors discussed above, the Patriots may also consider the following when making their decision on Brissett:

The salary cap: Brissett is scheduled to make $4.5 million in 2024. If the Patriots release him, they would save $2.5 million in cap space.
The draft: The Patriots have the 14th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. If they are not able to trade up for a quarterback, they could select one with their pick. This would give them a younger, cheaper option at quarterback.
The free agent market: If the Patriots release Brissett, they could sign another backup quarterback in free agency. There are several veteran quarterbacks who are available, including Andy Dalton, Teddy Bridgewater, and Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Overall Implications

The Patriots' decision on whether or not to re-sign Brissett will have a significant impact on their quarterback situation for the next several years. If they re-sign him, they will have a reliable backup who can step in if Jones gets injured or struggles. However, if they let him walk, they will be relying on Maye to be their quarterback of the future. This is a risky move, but it could pay off if Maye lives up to his potential.