Rookie Drake Maye will be new starting quarterback for Patriots, per report

A quarterback change is coming in New England.

The Patriots will start rookie Drake Maye during the team's Week 6 matchup against the Houston Texans, according to multiple reports.

Taken third overall in the 2024 NFL draft, Maye will replace Jacoby Brissett, who has struggled in recent weeks. The 31-year-old Brissett was named the starting quarterback before the start of the season, even though head coach Jerod Mayo said Maye outplayed Brissett during the preseason.

After opening the season with a win, the Patriots have lost four consecutive games with the offense unable to produce much on the scoreboard. In its last three games, New England has failed to scored more than 13 points in each contest and the team has the second-worst scoring offense in the league at 12.4 points per game, just ahead of the Miami Dolphins, who beat New England in Week 5.

Brissett has struggled the majority of the season. The Patriots offense is dead last in passing offense at just 119.4 passing yards per game. This season, he has thrown for 696 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

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"I thought we played well enough defensively and on special teams to win," Mayo said after the Week 5 loss. "As the quarterback, (Brissett) understands he touches the ball on every single play and we didn't score enough points to win the game."

Maye has made one appearance this season, coming in relief during a blowout loss to the New York Jets in Week 3. He completed four passes on eight attempts for 22 yards.

With the former North Carolina Tar Heel getting the start, Maye is now the fourth rookie quarterback to start this season, joining Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix.

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