The New England Patriots are at the start of a new era after Jerod Mayo was the man chosen to succeed legendary head coach Bill Belichick in Foxboro.
One of the new regime’s early moves was to remodel the quarterback room, bringing veteran slinger Jacoby Brissett back after drafting him back in 2016, while also using their third-overall pick in this year’s draft on Drake Maye.
While Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniel, the two players picked ahead of Maye earlier this year, are set to start from day one with the Bears and Commanders respectively, the Pats appear content to let Maye develop and progress under the tutorship of Brissett, at the start of the new season, at least.
This is something that nine-year veteran Brissett is well aware of, but he still insists his priority is being the team’s starter when the new campaign begins.
"Oh, for sure, no question," he told the NFL Network on Friday. "I'm probably the perfect person to mentor the guys in my room, but I'm also the perfect person for this job to start. I don't take that lightly. I came here to play first.
“Every time I step out on that field and my teammates see me, I want them to know that everything that comes with me comes with me, but I'm here to start. I'm here to play and win games, and that's my plan."
The Patriots are looking to bounce back from last year’s 4-13 record which saw them finish bottom of the AFC East as the club parted ways with Belichick after a 24-season run that brought about six Super Bowl titles.
Live on DAZN: Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov on August 3. Click here for details.