He is back

 

The New England Patriots are largely expected to target a quarterback early in the 2024 NFL Draft. Before that, they’re reportedly reconciling with an old pal, quarterback Jacoby Brissett, on a one-year, $8 million contract.

Brissett, who was picked in the third round by the Patriots in 2016, sparked “real” interest from his former team prior to free agency, according to the Boston Globe. The 31-year-old journeyman was one of the most experienced backups poised to become available, and while head England would undoubtedly “have competition for him,” head coach Jerod Mayo and his staff see Brissett as “a great locker-room guy.”

Alex Van Pelt, Mayo’s offensive coordinator, previously worked with Brissett when he started 11 games for the Cleveland Browns in 2022. Van Pelt “loved” working with Brissett in Cleveland, according to the Globe, and even if the Patriots use the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to select a long-term quarterback, the organization now has a mentor and/or insurance. Brissett had the best season of his eight-year career under Van Pelt in 2022, stepping in for the Browns’ suspended quarterback Deshaun Watson, with a career-high 88.9 passer rating.

 

Brissett had only one season with the Patriots after being selected as the 91st overall choice out of NC State, starting two games in lieu of an absent Tom Brady as a rookie. However, he has since established himself as a reliable spot starter. He was traded to the Indianapolis Colts before the 2017 season and started a total of 30 games in four seasons. He spent the past three seasons with the Browns, Miami Dolphins, and Washington Commanders, briefly replacing Sam Howell late in the 2023 season.