Free Agency Target: Should Patriots Bring Back Ex Quarterback?

While the New England Patriots will likely draft their franchise quarterback this offseason, they could bring back a familiar face as a veteran backup.

Could a familiar face find his way back in Foxboro this offseason? It is certainly a possibility after a disastrous 3-14 season for the New England Patriots, where a seemingly never-ending quarterback carousel plagued them. 

A recent article from Pro Football Focus, where they named potential landing spots for some of the top quarterbacks and receivers in this offseason's free agency class, saw New England named as a possible suitor for Jacoby Brissett. 

"Brissett once again played good football in 2023 after an underrated strong 2022 campaign over the first 11 games for the Cleveland Browns, stepping up in Week 15 and earning a 92.0 PFF grade with 124 passing yards and two touchdowns on just ten passing attempts," PFF writes about Brissett. "It was unfortunate Brissett got hurt in Week 16, as it appeared he may have been the starter the rest of the way in Washington."

Aug 19, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) throws during the second half against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.  / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Brissett, the former third-round pick out of NC State, began his career with the Patriots in 2016 and famously served as their starter for two games as Tom Brady was serving his suspension. That was before he was traded in the ensuing offseason. Since then, he has continued to prove himself as a competent backup signal-caller.

Since leaving Foxboro in 2017, Brissett has served as a starting quarterback in 46 of his 76 appearances while spending time with four teams.

His most recent stint came with the Washington Commanders, where he made three appearances last season as the backup to former fifth-round signal-caller Sam Howell, who was benched twice due to poor performance.

It was in those relief efforts that Brissett showed his worth, as he nearly led the Commanders to comeback wins in Week 14 and 15 versus the Los Angeles Rams and New York Jets, respectively. 

After Brissett had completed 78.3 percent of his passes for 224 yards and three touchdowns in those near comeback efforts, he was named by then-coach Ron Rivera as the Commanders' new starting quarterback for their Week 16 game versus the San Francisco 49ers. 

However, as it did in New England, an injury sidelined Brissett, ending his season and potentially his time in Washington.

With a quarterback room that currently only features Bailey Zappe and Mac Jones, adding a veteran presence could only help the Patriots. Especially so if the Patriots find their next franchise quarterback through the NFL Draft, as coach Jerod Mayo has recently hinted about. 

At the very least, Brissett can be a mentor to whoever the Patriots' next quarterback is or even a bridge option until they feel a successor is ready to replace him.

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