The NFL rumor mill has yielded the idea of a former New England Patriots quarterback ... namely one who partook in the run to Super Bowl LI ... returning to Foxborough, more or less signaling the de facto official start of the NFL offseason.
Yes, Jacoby Brissett may be on his way back to New England as Ben Volin of the Boston Globe has reported that the team has "real" interest in staging a reunion. Brissett, 31, began a nomadic NFL career in New England as a third-round pick in 2016.
Since stepping in for a suspended Tom Brady and an injured Jimmy Garoppolo in the early stages of 2016, Brissett has developed a reputation as a reliable backup thrower, notably standing serviceably in Indianapolis after Andrew Luck's unexpected retirement in 2019. Brissett spent last season with the Washington Commanders, playing sparingly yet efficiently behind Sam Howell (18-for-23, 224 yards, 3 touchdowns in a trio of appearances).
Signing Brissett would create a reunion in more ways than one: the North Carolina State alum spent 2022 under the watch of newly-minted offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. In 11 games stepping in for the suspended Deshaun Watson, Brissett posted a career-best 88.9 passer rating.
Any and all New England rumors linked to quarterbacks are going to draw attention to the Patriots' current draft standing, as the team currently owns the third overall pick in selection proceedings scheduled for April 25 in Detroit. While the plan will likely be apparent by the time the Patriots are on the clock, interest in Brissett is a potential indicator of where they're leaning in early March.
Efficient as Brissett has been in relief, his days of being considered for Week 1 starting rights are more than likely over. If the Patriots want to claim any progress in their ongoing rebuild, there are better stopgap options, such as Brissett's fellow Van Pelt disciple Joe Flacco or even former Super Bowl rival Russell Wilson.
The latter stages of Brissett's career have more or less been defined by being the veteran spell option to a young franchise man: last year it was Howell in the nation's capital, two years before it was Tua Tagovailoa in Miami. Brissett would more than likely serve a similar purpose if he was transferred to Foxborough again.
"I definitely got really lucky to have a guy like that in my corner," Howell lauded of Brissett, per Nathaniel Marrero of Commander Country. "He came here to compete. He's done a really good job not only for him coming here and competing, he's here trying to help me."
"He's been an awesome guy to have. He's been an awesome friend to me. We have a great relationship, so I'm just super thankful to have a guy like that in the locker room."
Time will tell if New England follows through on either plan. But the mere interest in stage one seems to offer a subtle, if not unconfirmed, hint at the future.
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