After a season that saw the team sink to the bottom, the New England Patriots has the chance to make a substantial leap in the offseason. One surprising move is to pick wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. in the draft and acquire Jacoby Brissett as his quarterback.
Last season saw the Patriots suffer back-to-back losing campaigns since 1995 after the Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Indianapolis Colts in Week 14. After the development, the team lost to the Buffalo Bills, placing them last in the AFC East division with a 4-13 record.
This finish to the previous regular season is recognized as Bill Belichick’s worst as an NFL head coach. It’s also the team’s worst record since 1992, marking an end to over 30 years of performing well in the league.
After their disastrous run last season, the Patriots and Belichick announced that they have parted ways. Former New England linebacker Jerod Mayo was chosen by the front office as the new head coach for the upcoming season.
New England Patriots Can Pair Potential Rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. Wtih QB Jacoby Brissett
Along with the selection of a new head coach, the Patriots can use their third-overall pick in the NFL Draft to select wide. receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. Aaron Schatz explains why getting Jacoby Brissett, a veteran quarterback previously signed by the Washington Commanders to an $8 million contract, to pair with the rookie makes sense in his article for ESPN:
“The perfect caretaker veteran quarterback? Jacoby Brissett — who was a Patriots third-round draft pick back in 2016. Brissett has made a career of surprisingly reasonable performances, with his best year coming with the 2022 Browns. And who was offensive coordinator of those Browns? None other than new Patriots coordinator Alex Van Pelt!
With Brissett throwing to Harrison, the Patriots can then use a lower-round pick on a passer to develop behind Brissett. Michael Penix Jr. (Washington) might be an option in the second round, or Spencer Rattler (South Carolina) in the third or fourth round,” Schatz wrote.
This move won’t drastically change the Patriots to instant contenders overnight. Instead, going for both Harrison and Brissett can lay the foundations for New England to contention sooner than later.