The New England Patriots are in a challenging spot regarding their quarterback situation. Currently, Jacoby Brissett is the starter, but given the significant hits he’s taken in the opening weeks of the season, there’s a reasonable chance he could get injured.
This scenario leaves the team with rookie quarterbacks Drake Maye and Joe Milton, neither of whom are ideal options for different reasons. The Patriots are hesitant to risk Maye’s development by throwing him into the fray too soon, while playing Milton might not send a positive message to the locker room.
In light of this, Albert Breer from Sports Illustrated suggests that the Patriots would benefit from signing a veteran quarterback. During a discussion on NBC Sports Boston, he mentioned Ryan Tannehill, who remains a free agent.
The 36-year-old quarterback played the last five seasons with the Tennessee Titans, where he found success, notably making the Pro Bowl in 2019 and throwing 33 touchdown passes in 2020. However, Tannehill has shown signs of decline, particularly in the 2023 season, where he recorded just four touchdown passes against seven interceptions in ten games.
Despite this, Tannehill brings valuable experience as a starting quarterback, which could be crucial if Brissett were to get hurt. Given the struggles of New England’s offensive line, relying on Maye could lead to disaster, making the signing of a player like Tannehill a sensible move. Brissett was sacked five times and faced relentless pressure in the Patriots’ Week 3 loss to the New York Jets, and this situation isn’t likely to improve.
It may be time for the Patriots to start planning for the future.
