Tag: Brissett

Sep 29, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) during warmups before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images

Patriots tout new QB1 Drake Maye’s ability to make ‘plays you see on TV’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Rookie quarterback Drake Maye became the best option at the position for the Patriots due to modest gains made by New England during a 1-4 start with Jacoby Brissett as QB1.

The No. 3 pick in the 2024 draft, Maye was informed he would make his first career start after the Patriots lost a fourth consecutive game and failed to score 14 points for the third straight week. New England has five total touchdowns and 62 points in five games to open Jerod Mayo’s first season as head coach.

“Something you dream of, getting your first start in the NFL,” Maye said Wednesday. “So excited to get out there with the guys, take advantage of having the full week to get prepared and try to put my best foot forward and help the team win.”

The Patriots welcome the Houston Texans (4-1), who have won back-to-back games by scoring on the final possession. New England is looking to avoid losing five consecutive games for the second season in a row.

Houston leads the NFL in QB pressure rate at 42 percent and limited Bills quarterback Josh Allen to nine completions in 30 attempts last week. In his five starts in 2024, Brissett was sacked 17 times but threw only one interception.

“Going forward, I think now Drake gives us the best chance to win now and going forward,” Mayo said Wednesday. “He’s been getting better every single week as I said before. At the end of training camp, he actually was trending at a very high rate, and that has continued through the early part of the season.

“Physically, look, this guy definitely gives us a chance to kind of get some of those off-schedule plays that you guys always see on TV.”

–Field Level Media

Jun 12, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) and quarterback Jacob y Brissett (14) throw passes at minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Patriots coach: ‘Drake has outplayed Jacoby’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said rookie Drake Maye “outplayed” veteran Jacoby Brissett in the preseason but he is still not ready to name a starting quarterback.

“What I will say is this is a true competition and I would say, at this current point, Drake has outplayed Jacoby,” the New England coach said during Monday morning’s appearance on WEEI. “Now, in saying that, we have to take in the full body of work, going all the way back to the spring and beginning of training camp. And, we’ll see where we end up. But, those are the conversations that will happen here over the next couple of days.”

Maye, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, completed 61.8 percent of his passes for 192 yards and a touchdown in three preseason games. Brissett completed just 35.7 percent of his attempts for 36 yards and an interception.

Maye also rushed seven times for 34 yards and a touchdown.

During a conference call with reporters Monday, Mayo said he hopes to name a starter “over the next couple of days.”

“I think there are multiple factors that kind of have to go into this decision,” Mayo said. “One is the total body of work, whether we’re talking about the spring or the entirety of training camp. And now, I’d also say oftentimes we forget about just the overall experience that a guy like Jacoby has, which will also be weighted in the decision that we have to make here in the near future.

“But I’m happy with the way those guys are battling it out, and hopefully over the next couple of days, we can name the starter and get the season rolling.”

The Patriots open the regular season on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 8.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are the only other NFL team that had not named a starting quarterback as of Monday morning.

–Field Level Media

Sep 24, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) and quarterback Jacoby Brissett (12) on the field before the game against the Buffalo Bills at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Commanders, Ron Rivera waiting another day to name starting QB

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Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera plans to identify a starting quarterback for Week 18 on Wednesday.

With the franchise in the grips of a seven-game losing streak, Rivera grasps this decision for Washington (4-12) in the season finale against the Dallas Cowboys could also be his last game as Commanders head coach.

“Well, I’d like to think we’re in a better place,” Rivera said Tuesday when asked if the franchise is better off than when he was hired Jan. 2, 2020. “Probably a fairer way to say it. I most certainly do appreciate my time here, and we’ll see what happens. And again, we’ll focus on what’s coming first on Sunday, and that’s getting ready for Dallas.”

Jacoby Brissett was named starter for Week 17 against the San Francisco 49ers, but Sam Howell got the call on gameday because Brissett aggravated a hamstring injury and was inactive.

The Cowboys (11-5) beat the Commanders 45-10 on Thanksgiving Day and can claim the NFC East division title by sweeping Washington.

Howell made his first career start against the Cowboys in Week 18 last season and led the Commanders to a 26-6 win.

Howell has 20 touchdowns, a league-worst 19 interceptions and has been sacked a league-high 61 times this season.

Brissett has three touchdowns and no interceptions, completing 18 of his 23 pass attempts this season.

–Field Level Media

Dec 24, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jacoby Brissett (12) throws the ball during the second half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Commanders add QB Jacoby Brissett (hamstring) to injury report

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Washington Commanders quarterback Jacoby Brissett is questionable for Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers due to a hamstring injury.

Brissett reported tightness in his hamstring after practice on Thursday, one day after the team announced that he was replacing Sam Howell as the starter.

Brissett received treatment on Thursday and Friday, when he was added to the injury report. Howell will return to the QB1 role if Brissett can’t go on Sunday.

Brissett replaced Howell in each of the last two games, road losses to the Los Angeles Rams and New York Jets, that extended Washington’s losing streak to six games.

“It’s a good opportunity for Sam to take a break,” head coach Ron Rivera said. “Jacoby’s proven that he’s a very, very viable player in this league.”

Including the 2022 season finale, Howell has started 16 consecutive games for the Commanders. The 2022 fifth-round pick ranks 11th in the NFL this season in passing yards (3,624) but has offset his 19 touchdown passes with a league-high 17 interceptions — including four pick-sixes. He has also been sacked a league-high 60 times.

The Commanders (4-11) finish the season with home games against the 49ers (11-4) on Sunday and the Dallas Cowboys (10-5) on Jan. 7.

Brissett, who started 11 games last season for Cleveland, has completed 18 of 23 passes for 224 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in three games this season.

–Field Level Media

Oct 29, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jacoby Brissett (12) on the field against the Philadelphia Eagles at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Commanders to start QB Jacoby Brissett vs. 49ers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Quarterback Jacoby Brissett will start for the Washington Commanders on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.

Head coach Ron Rivera made the announcement before practice on Wednesday.

Brissett replaced Sam Howell in each of the last two games, road losses to the Los Angeles Rams and New York Jets, that extended Washington’s losing streak to six games.

“It’s a good opportunity for Sam to take a break,” Rivera said. “Jacoby’s proven that he’s a very, very viable player in this league.”

Including the 2022 season finale, Howell has started 16 consecutive games for the Commanders. The 2022 fifth-round pick ranks 11th in the NFL this season in passing yards (3,624) but has offset his 19 touchdown passes with a league-high 17 interceptions — including four pick-sixes. He has also been sacked a league-high 60 times.

The Commanders (4-11) finish what could be Rivera’s final season in charge with home games against the 49ers (11-4) on Sunday and the Dallas Cowboys (10-5) on Jan. 7.

Brissett, who started 11 games last season for Cleveland, has completed 18 of 23 passes for 224 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in three games this season.

He compiled an 18-30 record as a starter for the Browns (2022), Miami Dolphins (2021), Indianapolis Colts (2017-20) and New England Patriots (2016). He has thrown for 10,574 yards with 51 TDs and 23 interceptions.

Brissett, 31, will become the 13th different quarterback to start for Washington since the beginning of the 2018 season. He follows Howell, Taylor Heinicke, Carson Wentz, Alex Smith, Dwayne Haskins, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Kyle Allen, Garrett Gilbert, Case Keenum, Colt McCoy, Josh Johnson and Mark Sanchez.

–Field Level Media

Deshaun Watson is on track to return from his 11-game suspension on Dec. 4 when the Cleveland Browns play the Houston Texans. Syndication Usa Today

Browns QB Deshaun Watson eligible to rejoin teammates at practice

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Quarterback Deshaun Watson is back with the Cleveland Browns, participating in practice and meetings at the team facility for the first time since the start of the regular season.

The next full-squad session is Wednesday in Berea, Ohio, but Watson is expected to be working overtime to get ready for the Dec. 4 game at Houston.

Watson’s 11-game suspension runs through Week 12 — including the bye week — before the ban is lifted just in time for his debut with the Browns against the Texans.

Watson was acquired from the Texans in March and signed to a $250 million contract. But he was banned for 11 games in August for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, when the NFL ruled his behavior with massage therapists was “egregious” and “predatory.”

Watson agreed to a $5 million fine and the 11-game suspension and vowed to undergo counseling and treatment.

Since the ruling, Watson was mostly away from the team. He was cleared to attend meetings and use the weight room facilities last month.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Watson would primarily be working in individual drills but would take some reps with the offense as his return nears.

Cleveland lost to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday and is 3-6, well out of the current AFC playoff picture with eight regular-season games to go.

Jacoby Brissett has been the starting quarterback in Watson’s place, but Stefanski said Watson is the starter Dec. 4 at Houston barring an injury.

–Field Level Media

Mar 25, 2022; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson poses for a photo with general manager Andrew Berry, left and head coach Kevin Stefanski, right during a press conference at the CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Browns GM: Deshaun Watson to start Week 13

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The starting quarterback job in Cleveland belongs to Deshaun Watson as soon as he is eligible to return, Browns general manger Andrew Berry said Wednesday.

Watson, 27, will play his first game since Jan. 3, 2021 when the Browns visit his former team, the Houston Texans, for a Week 13 contest on Dec. 4.

“It’s been great to have him back in the building,” Berry said during his bye week press conference. “He’s stayed in great shape and he’s done everything and more that we’ve asked of him.”

Watson has been participating in team meetings and strength and conditioning workouts since Oct. 10. He will be allowed to start practicing with the team on Nov. 14 and can be reinstated on Nov. 28.

Jacoby Brissett has guided Cleveland to a 3-5 start during Watson’s 11-game NFL suspension, including a 32-13 victory on Monday night against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Berry said the Browns will make the change even though Brissett has been “everything we hoped when we signed him.”

Brissett, 29, has completed 63.9 percent of his passes for 1,862 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions in eight starts. He ranks 10th in the NFL in passing yards and eighth in QBR, ahead of Jalen Hurts, Derek Carr, Daniel Jones, Justin Herbert, Jared Goff, Joe Burrow and Kirk Cousins.

Watson was suspended and fined $5 million in August for off-field conduct violations related to “predatory” behavior involving more than two dozen women who alleged sexual assault and other inappropriate behavior during massage sessions.

The Browns acquired Watson via trade from the Texans and signed him to a five-year, $230 million contract in the offseason.

Watson has completed 67.8 percent of his passes for 14,539 yards and 104 touchdowns with 36 interceptions. He led the league with 4,823 passing yards in 2020. He also has rushed for 1,677 yards and 17 scores in his career, and he owns a 28-25 regular-season record as a starter.

–Field Level Media

Cleveland Browns quarterback Jacoby Brissett watches from the sideline during the NFL football team's football training camp in Berea on Tuesday. Brissett Camp 2

Promoted by default, Browns QB Jacoby Brissett takes lead role

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Closure in Cleveland has been a matter of perspective, but Browns backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett kept his eyes focused on the same plan: Be ready when your number is called.

Deshaun Watson’s 11-game suspension means the Browns will have Brissett under center into December.

“We have a plan, and we’re going along with the plan,” Brissett said on Friday.

Brissett, 29, learned Thursday along with the rest of the league how long Watson would be sidelined by a league suspension for violating the personal-conduct policy.

“Since I’ve been in this league it’s been the next man up,” Brissett said. “That was the case my rookie year, so that experience helps with not only the playing but with the mindset of understanding that you’ve got to be ready whenever your number is called.”

Though he hasn’t debuted this preseason and could be kept on the sideline to preserve the depth chart, Brissett said he’s using practices and scrimmages to get more comfortable with the offense.

“I use these practices as my game,” Brissett said.

Brissett brings a wealth of starting experience from his stints with the New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins. Behind him is former first-round pick Josh Rosen, and the Browns still could add an arm during Watson’s suspension.

Watson is first eligible to return to the Browns on Nov. 28.

Brissett started five games last year as Tua Tagovailoa’s backup in Miami and made 30 total starts with the Colts from 2017-20.

“He has a very good way about him,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. “Very, very intelligent. Very good leader. Has the ability to make plays on the practice field, help in the meeting room. Be accountable throughout the weight room. He just does all the right things.”

–Field Level Media

Cleveland Browns quarterback Jacoby Brissett watches from the sideline during the NFL football team's training camp in Berea on Tuesday. Brissett Camp 2

Browns shift attention to readying Jacoby Brissett

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Jacoby Brissett is sliding up from the second chair in the quarterback room again as the Cleveland Browns shift from bracing for Deshaun Watson’s ban to preparing to play into October without him.

Brissett, 29, said his preparation won’t change a great deal other than the expectation that more of the first-team reps are coming his way with Watson expected to be suspended six games for violating the NFL’s off-field conduct policy.

“Since I’ve been in this league it’s been the next man up,” Brissett said of getting ready for Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers. “That was the case my rookie year, so that experience helps with not only the playing but with the mindset of understanding that you’ve got to be ready whenever your number is called.”

Brissett brings a wealth of starting experience from his stints with the New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins. Behind him is former first-round pick Josh Rosen, and the Browns still could add an arm during Watson’s suspension.

But head coach Kevin Stefanski said he plans to allow his preparation to remain day-to-day.

“I’ve just tried to be where my feet are,” Stefanski said of the mindset not to get ahead of himself with hypothetical challenges.

But having Brissett makes that possible. He started five games last year as Tua Tagovailoa’s backup in Miami and made 30 total starts with the Colts from 2017-20.

“He has a very good way about him,” Stefanski said. “Very, very intelligent. Very good leader. Has the ability to make plays on the practice field, help in the meeting room. Be accountable throughout the weight room. He just does all the right things.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 19, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) attempts a pass against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Dolphins placing QB Tua Tagovailoa (ribs) on IR

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The Miami Dolphins are placing quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on injured reserve with broken ribs, NFL Network reported Saturday.

Tagovailoa will miss the next three games, starting with Sunday’s road contest against the Las Vegas Raiders. He would be eligible to return from IR for the Week 6 home date with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Jacoby Brissett will start at quarterback for the Dolphins (1-1) on Sunday against the Raiders (2-0).

Tagovailoa came away with the injury in the first quarter of last week’s loss at Buffalo when A.J. Epenesa sacked him on a fourth-and-2 pass attempt.

Brissett, a six-year NFL veteran in his first season in Miami, has 32 career starts in 51 games.

Brissett relieved Tagovailoa and completed 24 of 40 passes for 169 yards and one interception in the 35-0 loss to the Bills.

–Field Level Media