Pats' Brissett: 'Here to support Drake' after getting benched

Despite being benched for third overall pick Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett is ready to do whatever he can to help the rookie passer succeed.

"(I'm) here to support Drake," Brissett told reporters Thursday, per Dakota Randall of Pro Football Network.

However, the Pats' decision has been a difficult one for Brissett.

"I don't think words can really describe how tough it is," he said.

Brissett went 1-4 in five starts while throwing for 696 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. The Patriots rank last in the NFL in passing yards per contest and 31st in points per game.

New England struggled to keep a clean pocket for the 31-year-old during his five starts. Brissett's 50% pressure rate is the highest in the NFL among qualifying quarterbacks, and he's been sacked 17 times while facing 80 pressures, according to Next Gen Stats.

Maye, 22, will get his first career start against the Houston Texans on Sunday.

"Drake asked me how I'm doing. I'm like, 'Man, if you're worried about me, you worried about the wrong thing,'" Brissett said Thursday, according to Marlee Wierda of 7News Boston.

"I've been through harder things in my life. I'm sure this won't be the last time I go through something hard. I'll be alright."

Maye was the third signal-caller selected in the 2024 draft, behind Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels. He saw his first game action on the team's final drive in Week 3, completing four of his eight throws for 22 yards.