Drake Maye has steadily improved since taking over New England’s starting job in Week 6 and he undoubtedly will be atop the QB depth chart from the get-go in his sophomore season. Who Maye shares a quarterback room with next campaign remains to be seen, but the Patriots reportedly have a clear preference.

“If the Patriots had their way, they would be returning the same group in 2025,” ESPN’s Mike Reiss wrote in a column published Sunday. “According to sources involved in the negotiations, when the Patriots were courting (Jacoby) Brissett in the offseason, they were offering him a two-year contract.”

Brissett obviously is the least likely of the three to stay with New England, as Joe Milton III is under contract through the 2027 season. And after a challenging second stint with the Patriots, it would make sense for the 32-year-old to seek a fresh start in a place where he actually has a chance to play.

As for the chances of a re-up with New England, Brissett recently told reporters it was “kind of early” to gauge the situation, per Reiss.