Jerod Mayo’s recent hiring of Alex Van Pelt as the new offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots has sparked speculation about the return of quarterback Jacoby Brissett. Brissett, a 2016 third-round draft pick, previously started two games for the Patriots. During his time as a starter, Brissett showcased his skills by completing 61% of his passes for 400 yards, stepping in for the suspended Tom Brady and the injured Jimmy Garoppolo.
Since his time with the Patriots, Brissett has had stints with the Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins before reuniting with Van Pelt in 2022 as a member of the Cleveland Browns. In 2023, Brissett joined the Washington Commanders, where he started the first 11 games of the season in place of the suspended Deshaun Watson. Buchmasser, a writer for SB Nation’s Pats Pulpit, praised Brissett’s performance during this time, highlighting his completion rate of 64.0%, 2,608 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. Additionally, Brissett showcased his versatility as a runner, averaging 5.0 yards per carry and scoring two rushing touchdowns.
Brissett’s potential return to the Patriots would undoubtedly add depth and experience to their quarterback position. With Van Pelt now leading the offensive strategy, the reunion between Brissett and his former coach could prove to be a fruitful one. As the Patriots continue to make moves in the offseason, fans eagerly await any official announcements regarding Brissett’s future with the team.
Former Patriots Quarterback Could Return to New England in Free Agency
In a surprising turn of events, it seems that former New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett could be making a comeback to his former team. Despite only spending one season with the Patriots, Brissett’s experience with offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and the success he had with the Patriots has made him a realistic free agency target for the team.
Brissett, who spent the 2023 season as a backup to Sam Howell in Washington, showed promise in the limited game appearances he made. He completed an impressive 78.3% of his passes for 224 yards and three touchdowns. With these numbers, it’s clear that Brissett has the potential to be a valuable addition to any team.
Over the course of his eight-year career, Brissett has amassed 10,574 passing yards, throwing 51 touchdowns and only 23 interceptions in 48 career starts. Most of his starts came during his time with the Indianapolis Colts, where he filled in for the injured Andrew Luck in 2017 and the retired Luck in 2019. Despite the challenges, Brissett managed to maintain an 18-30 record as a starter.
One of the advantages of pursuing Brissett is that he wouldn’t come with a hefty price tag. Last season, he signed a one-year, $8 million deal with the Commanders, making him an affordable option for the Patriots.
Van Pelt, who previously worked with Brissett in Cleveland, had nothing but positive things to say about the quarterback. He believes that Brissett’s play style aligns well with the team’s system, making him a valuable asset under center.
It’s worth noting that Van Pelt himself brings valuable experience to the Patriots as well. As a former player, he understands the game inside and out, making him a perfect fit for the team. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport even described Van Pelt as a “total football tape nerd” who lives and breathes the sport.
As the Patriots consider their options for the upcoming season, Brissett’s familiarity with the team and his potential as a mentor-type presence in the quarterback room make him a strong candidate. Regardless of who else the Patriots bring in, Brissett could very well be at the top of their wish list.
