“It’s not where you’re at when you’re 22. It’s who you’re around when you’re 22.” Remember when Tom Brady said this in an interview with Yahoo Sports? This was the GOAT’s advice for the New England Patriots’ rookie QB Drake Maye back in June. And the Patriots honored their legend’s word. They signed the 31-year-old Jacoby Brissett as their starter to provide an extra learning space for the 21-year-old to grow. However, an NFL insider suggests that the veteran’s role as the franchise’s number one QB might be cut short.

On the 20th of July, on The Rich Eisen Show, Tom Pelissero discussed ‘Which Star Players Could Be Traded This Season’ before the deadline day. When asked about the possible trades, the NFL Network reporter said, “It’s hard to pick. Because, again, who’s going to be bad enough that they’re going to be looking to move on from players? I’d have to give that one some more thought if I’m thinking top to bottom within the league. You know, the teams that I think a lot of people expect to be down there would be a team like the Patriots.”

He said while questioning himself – but who on the Pats’ roster is getting traded? Tom followed his question with a response that now seems somewhat out-of-impulse. He didn’t sound that convinced when he suggested, “Jacoby Brissett mid-season if you’re in a spot and you’re desperate for a quarterback? Something like that. He’s probably going to be the starter out of the gate.” Now, a couple of things here are worth noting.

First, Tom is a wise man. Before suggesting Brissett’s name, he cleared that it’s a hard pick. So, if you are a Patriot reading this, just read it with a pinch of salt. Second, the Patriots’ OC Alex Van Pelt has already called him the starting quarterback over Drake Maye. After all, the franchise believes Brissett to be the perfect veteran to help develop the rookie. The cherry on top? Both experts and fans understood the Pats’ decision to sign him.

This move brought back the 2016 third-round pick to the team that drafted him, a Homecoming worthy of a touchdown celebration! It also reunited Brissett with Van Pelt, a play-caller he is familiar with from his days at the Cleveland Browns in 2022. Unless Maye pulls a Hail Mary, the 31-year-old will probably start in Week 1, boasting 48 starts, 51 touchdowns, 23 interceptions, a 61.3 percent completion rate, and 6.6 yards per attempt over his eight-year career.

Moreover, Brissett has been the QB1 in practice, taking all the first-team snaps. With a tough schedule, the Pats might stick to this trend as facing four Super Bowl challengers in the first five games could rattle Maye.

But one can understand Tom’s chain of thinking. Eventually, the plan is to get the 21-year-old up and running. However, to think Jacoby gone so soon would be unfair as his job asks him to play mentor more than the ‘star QB’. But the star is in the making!

Drake Maye needs to be patient and trust Jacoby Brissett’s guidance

“What they need right now is a guy like Drake Maye that everybody can say, ‘Hey we got a future. We got a guy that can be a guy in this league’,” Hall of Famer Devin McCourty said. He not only said it, he hailed Drake Maye – the third-overall pick of the NFL draft. But this rookie is set to ride the pine as Jacoby Brissett’s protégé.

Although the Patriots are hoping they’ve hit the jackpot, Maye, despite his high draft status, faces tempered expectations. This stems from the Pats’ struggling offense. Ending 2023 with the 31st-ranked offense, it’ll be a scramble to turn things around. Hence, they saw a need for a veteran like Brissett.

Since the departure of Brady, the Pats have cycled through Cam Newton, Mac Jones, and Bailey Zappe. None could deliver the touchdown they needed. Enter Maye, who boasted a 63.3% completion rate, 3,608 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, 2 fumbles lost, 9 interceptions, and 29 sacks coming out of North Carolina in 2023. But he must be patient to grab hold of the opportunity. Until then, his job is to learn!

During spring practices, Maye was more third-string than first-string, while Brissett took the spotlight. So, it’s safe to admit that we should not expect to see Maye on the field anytime soon. But that’s actually a win for the rookie.

Maye’s got the size, toughness, athleticism, and arm strength to be a top quarterback. With Van Pelt’s playbook and Brissett’s guidance, the franchise is betting on his future greatness—even if it doesn’t start by Week 1.

So, given the situation, it’s looking more like a humble stay for Brissett in Foxborough. Now, only time will tell if what Tom said comes true or not. Until then, Maye will look to learn as much as he can.