Patriots Rumors: Joe Flacco, Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew Among FA QB Targets

The New England Patriots are reportedly targeting a handful of veteran quarterbacks in free agency, per MassLive's Mark Daniels and Karen Guregian.

The Patriots are eyeing a veteran to pair with a rookie quarterback they are expected to draft. Daniels reported that the names he has heard are Joe Flacco, Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew.

According to Daniels, the prospect of signing Flacco has been met with differing opinions among the Patriots organization. While some see him as a fitting quarterback to compete with a rookie in training camp, others are hesitant about bringing in a 39-year-old who played just six games last year.

Flacco, a former Super Bowl MVP and the league's 2023 Comeback Player of the Year, was called upon in relief by the Cleveland Browns last season. He led them to four wins in five games as the starter to help secure a playoff spot, but struggled in a 45-14 loss to the Houston Texans in the wild-card round.

Still, Flacco's experience is second to none among available free agent quarterbacks, and he could provide a valuable mentorship to a rookie. According to Daniels, the expectation is that Flacco would compete for a starting spot against a rookie quarterback and "carry himself gracefully" should he lose that competition.

Brissett, who was drafted by the Patriots in 2016, played in just three games last season for the Washington Commanders, throwing for 224 yards and three touchdowns. Daniels noted that Brissett would be the most logical fit for New England.

If the Patriots called upon Minshew, it would be a familiar position for him. Last season for the Indianapolis Colts, Minshew was QB2 behind rookie Anthony Richardson, but after Richardson's season-ending injury early in the season, Minshew took over as the starter.

He threw for 3,305 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions, going 7-6 as the starter and being named a Pro Bowl alternate.

Another name reportedly in the mix is Baker Mayfield, though it would be more of a stretch than any other name on the list. Mayfield, who had 4,044 passing yards and 28 touchdowns last year, led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the divisional round and is expected to receive a big payday in free agency. His number is rumored to be as high as $40 million, Daniels noted.

The Patriots, who have the No. 3 pick in this year's draft, are expected to part ways with Mac Jones and take a quarterback with their first pick. Bleacher Report's Mock Draft projects New England to take LSU's Jayden Daniels, the No. 24 prospect and No. 3 quarterback in this year's draft class according to Bleacher Report's Scouting Department.

In his Heisman trophy-winning season last year, Daniels threw for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns and just four interceptions while picking up 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.