New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo is set to make a change at quarterback and start rookie Drake Maye on Sunday against the Houston Texans.

The Patriots are 1-4 this season and showing no signs of improvement, and now Mayo is making one of his biggest calls since replacing legendary coach Bill Belichick in the offseason. Jacoby Brissett has thrown just two touchdowns all year, and Mayo is ready to unleash the first-round rookie.

The 22-year-old was selected third overall by the Patriots in the 2024 NFL Draft and signed a four-year fully-guaranteed contract worth $36.64 million on May 28. Maye impressed in preseason but was named as a backup to the veteran Brissett, and will now have the chance to prove himself.

Maye has already made his debut for the Patriots after entering in the fourth quarter of their 3-24 defeat on the road to the New York Jets. Maye finished that game and completed four of eight passes for 22 yards, and also completed a 12-yard rush.

The season started perfectly for the Patriots as they secured a shock win over the Cincinnati Bengals, but since then they’ve suffered four straight losses to the Seattle Seahawks, Jets, San Francisco 49ers, and Miami Dolphins. Mayo had remained loyal to Brissett throughout, and even after the defeat to the 49ers he said: “Jacoby is 100% our starter.”

After their latest defeat, his tone changed. “It just wasn’t good enough,” Mayo said of Brissett’s performance against the Dolphins. “I thought we played well enough defensively and on special teams to win the football game.

“Look, as the quarterback — and he understands this — he touches the ball on every single play, and we didn’t win the game or score enough points to win the game. I think he would echo that same sentiment that it wasn’t good enough.”

Jacoby Brissett has been stripped of starting duties after four-straight losses.

Jacoby Brissett has been stripped of starting duties after four-straight losses. ( 

Image:

2024 Getty Images)

Mayo has been cautious of throwing Maye into the mix too early, as it’s never clear how rookie quarterbacks will perform. Last season No. 1 pick Bryce Young struggled while No. 2 pick C.J. Stroud was named Offensive Rookie of the Year.

This season’s first-overall selection Caleb Williams has been out-shone by No. 2 pick Jayden Daniels, who is already in the conversation for the MVP award. Maye has had to sit on the bench while some of his first-round picks have been gaining experience, but Mayo believed it was for the best until his hand was forced.

“I would say each situation is unique,” Mayo said. “It’s natural for fans and for the media to say, ‘Well, we have a good quarterback waiting in the wings as well.’ But at the same time, our mentality is how do we develop [Maye], how do we get the guys on the field around him to develop, and move forward from there.”