The Patriots' rebuild of the quarterback room has begun: New England has come to terms with quarterback Jacoby Brissett, with multiple NFL Network reports saying it's a one-year, $8 million deal that could be worth up to $12 million with incentives.
Brissett, who was drafted by the Patriots in 2016, spent just one season in Foxborough before being traded to the Indianapolis Colts. He also spent time with the Dolphins and Browns before signing a one-year, $8 million deal with the Commanders last season to back up Sam Howell.
During his time in Cleveland, Brissett worked with now-Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and started the first 11 games of the 2022 season during Deshaun Watson's suspension.
He then played in just three games for the Commanders last season but was impressive in twice replacing Howell late in games; his first action was taking three snaps (and handing off three times) on the final drive of a Week 13 blowout loss to Miami, but in Weeks 15 and 16, Brissett led five straight TD drive against the Rams and Jets, respectively.
Brissett was set to start in Week 17 but hurt his hamstring, and was inactive for the final two games - so his final season line was 18-for-23 for 224 yards and three touchdowns, with three rushes for 19 yards, in 46 snaps.
According to MassLive, New England's plan at quarterback involves a veteran bridge quarterback and a rookie signal-caller at pick No. 3 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, so step one appears complete with the signing of Brissett.
New England is trading Mac Jones to Jacksonville when the league year opens Wednesday, leaving third-year man and final 2023 starter Bailey Zappe and Nathan Rourke, who was signed last December and has never taken an NFL snap, as the only QBs on the roster.