Cam Garrity
June 27, 2024 4:25 pm ET
Our next stop in the “State of the Room” series is the one position that has a lot of differing opinions right now among New England Patriots fans. It’s time to turn the page to the quarterback room.
The quarterbacks in New England will forever be scrutinized thanks to the greatest football player of all time, Tom Brady, donning the flying Elvis on his helmet for 19 years. Comparisons are always going to be thrown around when a shadow as large as Brady’s hangs over the quarterback position.
It’s a deep room heading into training camp with the Patriots opting to keep four quarterbacks on their roster. There are plenty of question marks that won’t be answered until the pads come on and competitive practices begin.
Drake Maye headlines the group as the third-overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft The Patriots also made a move in the offseason to sign Jacoby Brissett, who was brought in as a veteran bridge option.
Without further ado, let’s get into the quarterback room and see how things could shake out before the start of the season.
Jacoby Brissett
Jun 10, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (14) hands the ball to running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) at minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
What he needs to do: For Brissett, it’s all about staying healthy, engaged and learning the playbook. Brissett was brought in this spring to be a stop-gap quarterback or remain a high-upside backup. Having played under Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt in the past, he should already have a good command of the offense
My case: I have Brissett as the No. 2 quarterback behind Drake Maye. Brissett is an important presence in the locker room for Maye, but he’s also greatly needed for the offense as a whole. His experience in Van Pelt’s system will be valuable as he tries to help get the team up to speed. He should be considered a roster lock at this stage
Drake Maye
Jun 10, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) throws a pass at minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
What he needs to do: Maye needs to showcase his unrivaled arm talent and athletic ability in combination with an ability to grasp the playbook. He already has a good foundation, which is something the Patriots failed to do with Mac Jones under Bill Belichick. In the 2024 NFL draft, seven of the team’s eight picks were on the offensive side of the ball. The team has clearly shown its dedication to helping Maye succeed.
My Case: Drake Maye is the starter and a roster lock, barring anything unforeseen. The Patriots didn’t spend a No. 3 draft pick on him for no reason. His athletic profile and charisma scream franchise quarterback. He won’t have long to wait to prove it with training camp right around the corner.
Bailey Zappe
Jun 10, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe (4) throws a pass at minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
What he needs to do: Zappe needs to show some grit, poise and growth. He doesn’t have much to stand on from seasons past as the lone holdover in the quarterback room from the last regime. The third-year signal-caller needs to play with more energy and show the coaching staff he has bought into the new offense. He must change the narrative and prove he hasn’t hit his ceiling as a quarterback.
My Case: Zappe will be the lone man out. His mental makeup, past performance and overall physical profile do not align with this new offense. The Patriots likely kept him around as a camp body, and there’s a chance he could end up on the practice squad. Brissett, Maye and Milton are all 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds or more. Zappe stands shorter and leaner, and his arm isn’t good enough to compete with Maye and Milton.
Joe Milton III
May 11, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Joe Milton III (19) throws a pass at the New England Patriots rookie camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
What he needs to do: Milton needs to incrementally improve. He is an older prospect at age 24 with plenty of questions surrounding his potential at quarterback.
The Patriots will likely treat him as a project. He will need to slowly improve each day for the team to warrant keeping him on the roster. If he can get one percent better each day, he’ll have a shot at being this team’s top backup in a few years. From a physical standpoint, he even matches the size and talent of Maye to be an ideal understudy.
My Case: Milton will make the roster for a Patriots team in need of talent. They’re also a team looking to get back and improve at drafting and developing players on their roster. They need to allow Milton to get third-team reps on the field. His size and skills match what the Patriots are trying to do with their quarterback room, and he will be a fun project for the team to develop.
Other positions
May 11, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo watches practice at the New England Patriots rookie camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
- Tight End
- Wide Receiver
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