Adam Schefter floats two veteran free agent quarterback possibilities for the Patriots
Joe Flacco and Jacoby Brissett are two names that Schefter pointed out.
Whether it’s adding a young player through the draft or signing a veteran in free agency, it appears the Patriots have a desire to upgrade the quarterback position this offseason.
ESPN insider Adam Schefter floated two names the Patriots could consider during free agency during a recent appearance on the Pat McAfee Show.
“I think when we’re talking New England, the first two names that come to my mind would be Joe Flacco and Jacoby Brissett,” said Schefter.
Shefter mentioned the quarterbacks’ connections to new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt as a reason why both would make sense. Van Pelt coached both players in Cleveland, and Schefter said it would be “really coincidental” for either one to reunite with the coach.
“Essentially, it’s a situation where if you sign one of those guys,
Schefter said. “Flacco or Brissett, you still can go ahead and draft one of those other guys at No. 3. And now, you don’t have to rush them on to the field.”
Schefter was asked about the possibility of the Patriots pursuing Baker Mayfield who Van Pelt also coached in Cleveland.
“I think Baker could be in play,” Schefter said. “I think Baker is more in play in Tampa, especially now that Mike Evans is going to be back there. I think Atlanta if it doesn’t get Kirk Cousins will have interest in Baker Mayfield. I’m not going to tell you that New England is not going to be interested in Baker. I can see it.”
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah said earlier this week that it’s too early to rule out the Patriots bringing in Mayfield.
“I mean we’ve all assumed that Baker just goes right back to Tampa,” Jeremiah said. “Don’t sleep on the New England Patriots. If the New England Patriots are in the Baker business, then the No. 3 pick is up for sale. And now the dominoes start going and we can really have some fun.”
Mayfield, 29, is coming off of the first 4,000-yard passing season of his career, and he threw 28 touchdowns against 10 interceptions while leading the Buccaneers to the Divisional Round where they lost to the Lions.
The Browns won four of the five games that Flacco started last season. The 39-year-old former MVP completed 60.3 percent of his passes and threw 13 touchdowns against 8 interceptions last season.
Brissett, 31, began his career in New England in 2016. He completed 18 of his 23 passing attempts as a backup with the Commanders last year. He threw three touchdowns and zero interceptions.
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