For the majority of the offseason and into training camp, there was a widespread belief that Jacoby Brissett would be the Patriots' starting quarterback for the majority of the 2024 season.
But is there a chance the veteran signal-caller doesn't even last on New England's roster for much longer?
It's a scenario ESPN's Bill Barnwell outlined Monday when the NFL writer put together a list of potential trade candidates. Brissett, who signed a one-year deal with the Patriots in free agency, probably never was going to kick around in New England for the long haul, but Barnwell believes the 31-year-old's exit could be expedited by the steady progression of Drake Maye. Head coach Jerod Mayo on Monday even acknowledged Maye logged a better preseason than his far more experienced teammate.
There's obviously a benefit to keeping Brissett. The 2016 third-round pick has been there and done that in the league, and he could serve as both a mentor to Maye and an above-average gap filler in 2024. But as Barnwell pointed out, teams typically transition to highly drafted quarterbacks sooner rather than later. Teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and the Green Bay Packers were rare exceptions.
Barnwell took the hypothetical a step further by identifying the Browns as a logical landing spot for Brissett. Cleveland reportedly is shopping one of its QBs and has veteran backup Jameis Winston in house, but Barnwell could see the Browns having interest in Brissett while starter Deshaun Watson deals with lingering arm soreness. Brissett is very familiar with the operation in Cleveland, where he started 11 games in 2022.
A Patriots trade involving Brissett probably shouldn't be labeled as likely. But for a variety of factors, it shouldn't entirely be ruled out either.
