Between eleven appearances from Mac Jones and six from Bailey Zappe, the New England Patriots struggled to find consistent performance from their quarterbacks in 2024. Jones, drafted in the first round in 2021, has seen a decline in his performance over the past two seasons following a promising rookie year. Meanwhile, Zappe, a fourth-round pick in 2022, has brought a different style to the field but has not translated it into favorable outcomes.
Looking ahead, the Patriots have several options to bolster their quarterback roster through free agency. One potential target is Kirk Cousins, who has established himself as a reliable quarterback over the past decade.
Consistently surpassing 4,000 passing yards and 25 touchdowns in full seasons, Cousins was poised to continue this trend in 2023 before a torn Achilles ended his season prematurely in October. With six seasons under his belt with the Vikings, Cousins, set to turn 36 before the upcoming season, faces uncertainty in contract negotiations due to his age and recent injury.
If he regains his previous level of performance, Cousins stands out as the top quarterback available in the upcoming free agency period. His addition would offer an instant improvement at the quarterback position for the Patriots, potentially delivering their strongest quarterback play since Tom Brady’s departure. Moreover, with the Patriots anticipated to possess over $70 million in cap space, they could potentially outbid other interested teams.
However, considering that the Patriots ended the season with only four wins, is investing such a significant amount in an aging quarterback the wisest decision?
Jacoby Brissett
Jacoby Brissett made his NFL debut in New England back in 2016 when he stepped in for a suspended Tom Brady and an injured Jimmy Garoppolo. In that game against the Texans, on a short week, Brissett led the Patriots to a convincing 27-0 victory.
Now, the seasoned quarterback may be returning to where it all began. After serving as a backup to rookie Sam Howell in Washington this past season, Brissett had a brief but impressive stint, posting a remarkable passer rating of 146.8 in two relief appearances late in the season before suffering a hamstring injury during practice.
Brissett brings a wealth of experience both as a starting quarterback and as a mentor to younger players. He notably started 11 games for the Cleveland Browns in 2022 under the guidance of the Patriots’ new offensive coordinator, Alex Van Pelt. During those starts, he amassed 2,608 passing yards, throwing twelve touchdowns and six interceptions. In 2021, while sharing the quarterback duties with Tua Tagovailoa for the Miami Dolphins, Brissett also served as a mentor, making five starts when Tagovailoa was sidelined due to injury.
Tyrod Taylor
If Jacoby Brissett doesn’t fit the bill, another option to consider is Tyrod Taylor. Heading into his 14th NFL season, Taylor spent the last two years as a backup to Daniel Jones in New York.
Previously, Taylor served as the primary starter for the Buffalo Bills from 2015 to 2017, compiling a 22-20 record during his tenure. After his time in Buffalo, he had stints with Cleveland, Los Angeles, and Houston before joining the Giants.
In the 2023 season, Taylor made five starts, posting a passer rating of 89.1. He threw five touchdown passes and three interceptions while also showcasing his mobility by gaining nearly 200 yards on the ground.
Joe Flacco
Might the recipient of the Comeback Player of the Year award be interested in following his offensive coordinator from Cleveland to New England? Joe Flacco, aged 39, hasn’t completed ten or more games in a season since 2017. However, in 2023, he demonstrated his prowess by securing a 4-1 record in five starts, aiding the Browns in clinching a playoff spot. During this period, Flacco showcased his classic big-arm style, throwing 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
It remains uncertain whether Flacco intends to continue playing in 2024, and there are doubts about whether he can sustain his performance level from last season throughout an entire campaign given his age.
Nevertheless, his potential acquisition would likely come at a reasonable price, and his performance in the previous season would undoubtedly mark a notable improvement over the Patriots’ quarterback situation from the prior year.
Baker Mayfield
The ex-top draft pick achieved personal bests in passing yards and touchdowns during the 2023 season, demonstrating his peak performance in his debut year with Tampa. While the Buccaneers aim to secure Baker Mayfield’s return, the Patriots should consider pursuing him if he becomes available in free agency.
However, Mayfield’s acquisition may come at a high cost, given his draft history and numerous playoff triumphs. Geno Smith’s recent contract extension, totaling $75 million over three years, is likely to set a benchmark for negotiations.
What adds intrigue to Mayfield’s potential acquisition is his familiarity with the new Patriots offensive coordinator, Alex Van Pelt. Van Pelt served as Mayfield’s coach during his last two seasons in Cleveland, including overseeing the play-calling during Mayfield’s inaugural playoff victory.