After months of competition, practices and preseason games, the New England Patriots announced that Jacoby Brissett will be the team's starting quarterback for the 2024 season, and first-round pick Drake Maye will be his backup.
National outlets reported the news Monday morning just minutes before Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo was set to speak with the local media to share his decision.
Mayo spoke for roughly 90 seconds, including an opening statement about the move.
"Just like I told you guys a few days ago, it's a process, as far as selecting who the starting quarterback is. We have decided, or I have decided, that Jacoby Brissett will be our starting quarterback this season," Mayo said. "Now, in saying that, as an organization, we're 100% behind Jacoby... We're 100% behind Jacoby. I had an opportunity to talk to Drake. I had an opportunity to talk to Jacoby separately and also together. I feel like we're all on the same page from an organizational perspective."
What ultimately led Mayo to this decision?
"There are a lot of factors that led to this choice," "I think the hard part is thinking in the short term and the long term at the same time. As an organization, we feel like Jacoby gives us our best chance to win right now."
Mayo doesn't have a plan for when Maye will see the field for the first time.
"I don't want to get into hypotheticals," he said. "We can't go into the season saying 'He's going to go X amount of weeks.' Look, as long as Jacoby's going out there performing the way that we all have confidence in him doing, he'll be our quarterback this season."
New England will see Maye at some point, but it won't be Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium.
MORE PATRIOTS NEWS
Patriots name a starting QB for Week 1
Patriots claim four players on waivers after roster cuts
Former Patriots QB claimed by AFC West team
Patriots most surprising moves on roster cutdown day
