Rookie quarterback Drake Maye is set to take over as the New England Patriots’ starting quarterback, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Patriots, who currently hold a 1-4 record, will start Maye, the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, in their upcoming game against the Houston Texans. He replaces veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who has struggled during the team’s four-game losing streak.
Head coach Jerod Mayo, in his first year at the helm, had hinted last week that changes might be on the horizon, citing the team’s offensive struggles. Despite their Week 1 win against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Patriots have since faltered, averaging only 12.4 points per game, one of the lowest in the NFL.
Brissett, while handling adversity admirably, faced significant challenges, including five different offensive line combinations and a wide receiver group that ranks last in catches and receiving yards. Through five games, Brissett completed 58.5% of his passes for 696 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception. However, his performance in recent losses, particularly against the San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins, fell short of expectations.
Coach Mayo stated that while the defense and special teams performed well in the recent 15-10 loss to the Dolphins, the offense’s inability to score enough points became a focal issue. As the quarterback, Brissett’s role was under scrutiny.
Maye will now get his opportunity to lead the Patriots’ offense. In his brief appearance this season against the New York Jets, Maye completed 4-of-8 passes for 22 yards and rushed twice for 12 yards. The transition to Maye as the starter marks a significant change for the team as they try to turn their season around under the leadership of Mayo and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt.
With Maye joining other rookie quarterbacks Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Bo Nix as starters this season, the pressure will be on him to ignite a struggling Patriots offense that ranks near the bottom of the league in both points and yards. His first test will come against the Texans, as New England seeks to find stability and success moving forward.