National Football League

2024 NFL odds: Jacoby Brissett favored to start at QB for Patriots over Drake Maye

Updated Jul. 23, 2024 4:25 p.m. ET

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Currently, it looks like the veteran has the edge over the rookie in the New England Patriots' quarterback battle entering the start of training camp.

Jacoby Brissett will operate with the Patriots' top unit when they begin training camp practice as he's more "pro ready," head coach Jerod Mayo told reporters on Tuesday. However, Mayo didn't rule out the possibility of Drake Maye being named the team's starting quarterback by the end of training camp.

"If he comes out here and lights it up, it absolutely could happen," Mayo said of Maye. "But coming out of the spring, I don't think there is any doubt - Jacoby is the starting quarterback at this point in time."

Sometimes the betting odds tell a story. What do they say in this instance?

Ahead of training camp, betting odds indicate that Brissett will be the starting quarterback for the Patriots as well. He recently had -350 odds on being the Patriots' Week 1 starting quarterback (77.8% implied probability), while Maye had +255 odds of winning the starting job (28.2% implied probability) at FanDuel Sportsbook. 

PATRIOTS WEEK 1 STARTING QB (*Odds as of 7/23)

Jacoby Brissett: -350 (bet $10 to win $12.86 total)
Drake Maye: +255 (bet $10 to win $35.50 total)

Mayo's declaration isn't much of a surprise, as Brissett took the reps with the top unit during organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamp earlier in the offseason. It was also widely believed that the Patriots signed Brissett in free agency to be a bridge starting quarterback while they prepared whoever they took with the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Brissett also has experience working with new Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. He played under him for a season with the Cleveland Browns, starting 11 games that year. He's started 48 games total over his eight-year career.

Brissett told reporters Tuesday that he plans to be the starter when camp breaks as well.

"Obviously that's the ultimate goal and I don't take things like that lightly," Brissett said of Mayo's comments. "But I understand this league and I understand how every day is a challenge. It takes competition and I look forward to that and feed off that. I'm looking to go out there and prove it every day."

When the Patriots drafted Maye, a common sentiment was that they shouldn't start him right away due to the situation with the rest of their offensive. Their wide receivers and offensive line graded toward the bottom or at the bottom in many advanced metrics in 2023, and they didn't make any significant additions at either spot this offseason.

But Mayo won't let that be an excuse to not play Maye if he shows he's ready.

"It's not about everyone else," Mayo said of determining whether Maye should be the starting quarterback. "It's 'Does this guy go out there and perform better than Jacoby?' No matter who we're talking about."

Drew Bledsoe's advice to Patriots rookie QB Drake Maye

Maye will also compete alongside Bailey Zappe and fellow rookie Joe Milton. He began offseason practices behind Zappe, but wound up taking reps with the second offensive unit by the time minicamp wrapped up in June.

As Maye seemed to progress over the spring, Mayo wants to see him continue to improve this summer.

"The goal for Drake is just to get better each and every day," Mayo said. "It's not a straight line up to the top. There will be ups and downs. If he comes out here and takes full advantage and lights it up, he could be the Day 1 quarterback."

Brissett also gave Maye some advice as they prepared to battle for the starting job.

"There's no scholarships anymore," Brisset said. "It's your job and that's what makes it so fun - you get to go out there and compete every day, and you understand that somebody else is trying to take your job."

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