A midseason quarterback change has long been expected in New England, and it is now set to take place. The Patriots plan to start Drake Maye in Week 6, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports. 
Veteran Jacoby Brissett got the nod at the start of the campaign, something which came as little surprise. The 31-year-old has experience working with offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, and placing him atop the depth chart bought more time for Maye to develop. Brissett signed a one-year deal in free agency, though, positioning him as a bridge starter who would cede first-team duties at some point along the way. Maye saw mop-up duty the Pats’ blowout Week 3 loss, but this will mark his first full NFL action.
Once the Patriots moved on from Mac Jones, it was clear the draft route would be taken once again for a future franchise passer to be added. New England turned aside considerable trade interest in the No. 3 pick, using it to select Maye. The North Carolina product was seen as less pro-ready than a number of his draft classmates, but he has received 30% of the team’s starting reps during practice this season. That unusual setup further signaled a change would be coming soon, and the Patriots have lost four straight games. With momentum from their surprise Week 1 win not materializing, Brissett will be benched for at least the time being.
New England ranks 31st in the NFL with respect to both total and scoring offense. Improvement on the team’s 12.4 points per game average will be sought out, although questions linger (as they did before the year began) about issues along the offensive line and at the skill positions. Brissett has been sacked 17 times this season, and even Maye’s 16-snap appearance earlier in the year resulted in a pair of sacks. Injuries have been present up front, with starting center David Andrews out for the year and left tackle Caedan Wallace being placed on injured reserve. O-line struggles were a factor in Brissett remaining in place, but in spite of that it will now be Maye running the offense.
The 22-year-old had a down year in 2023 relative to his output during the previous campaign. His potential enticed the Patriots to add him in the team’s latest effort to land a true Tom Brady successor, however. Due to the fifth-year option, Maye could remain in place through 2028 depending on how he fares in a starting role. That process will begin in Week 6 against the Texans, a game in which expectations will be tempered. On a broader scale, how Maye performs over the coming months will represent the main storyline for himself personally and the team as a whole.