Jacoby Brissett reacts to losing the starting job to rookie Drake Maye.
Jacoby Brissett is no stranger to being a backup quarterback. In his first eight seasons in the NFL, the 2016 third-round draft pick only served as a regular starter twice.
Nonetheless, his recent demotion from No. 1 to No. 2 on the New England Patriots’ quarterback depth chart was still a challenge for him. Brissett admitted as such during a brief interview session in the Patriots locker room on Thursday.
“It’s tough. I don’t think words can really describe how tough it is,” he said before putting things in perspective.
“I’ve been through hard things in my life. I’m sure this won’t be the last time I go through something hard. So, I’ll be alright.”
Brissett entered his ninth NFL season as the Patriots’ starting quarterback, a role he effectively held ever since re-joining the club as an unrestricted free agent in March. Rookie challenger Drake Maye made a solid push, but never managed to unseat the veteran in training camp and preseason.
However, the third overall selection in this year’s draft kept developing and showing promise behind the scenes. In combination with Brissett struggling over the first five weeks of the regular season, the stage was set for a change.
Earlier this week, head coach Jerod Mayo informed both players of his decision. Maye would start the Patriots’ upcoming game against the Houston Texans, with Brissett moving into the backup spot.
“New role, so just trying to get ready for that,” the 31-year-old said.
Brissett’s tenure as Patriots starting quarterback ends with 79 completions on 135 pass attempts for 696 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Maye will take over an offense that is ranked 31st in the NFL in points scored per game.
But while the former starter will now no longer have an active hands in the team’s fortunes on game days, he still plays a valuable role behind the scenes.
Brissett, after all, is one of only three of the six original team captains still available at this point in the season. In addition, he remains a mentor to rookie quarterbacks Maye and Joe Milton.
“Jacoby, he’s the ideal teammate, the ideal guy to be in the room with as a quarterback,” said Maye when discussing the change atop the Patriots’ quarterback depth chart earlier this week.
“The biggest thing is you hate it for him. I think Jacoby fought his butt off, got up every time he was getting hit. Not only that, he just kept that mindset of, ‘Hey, it’s going to be the next play. Got this drive coming.’ Seeing him on the sideline, it was the positive vibes he kept and brought to this team and will still bring to this team. He’s a great mentor, a great friend, and I was trying to do everything I can to help him, and I’m sure he’ll do the same.”
Maye speaking highly of Brissett is not just lip service. According to the now-former starter, New England’s new QB1 made sure to check in on him as well after the move was announced.
Brissett, however, made sure to keep his young teammate focused on himself.
“Drake asked me how I’m doing and I’m like, ‘Man, if you’re worried about me, you’re worried about the wrong thing right now. I can take care of myself,’” he said. “Obviously, I appreciate that, but I’ll be alright.”