PATRIOTS QUARTERBACK JACOBY BRISSETT

PRESS CONFERENCE

October 30, 2024

Q: What was it like for you to see what you were able to do as an offense, and how do you prepare this week now with the uncertainty around Drake [Maye]?

JB: Yeah, I mean, we continue to try to build off of how we finished the game last week. It's always prepare like you're the starter, next man up, and that doesn't change this week.

Q: Jacoby, how have you seen Kayshon Boutte grow and mature as a player and as a person since the beginning of the summer? I know teammates have noted how his work ethic has really improved.

JB: Yeah, I mean, obviously not being a part of the offense first couple weeks and still sticking to it, putting the work in on the practice field and a lot of that stuff starting to come to fruition for him, as a teammate of his, it's obviously really rewarding to see that when it finally starts to go your way. He's making the most of his opportunity.

Q: The last couple days, how different were they just, I guess, not having mandatory meetings on Monday? Your routine probably doesn't change that much, but was it a nice change up?

JB: It was nice to be able to sleep in a little bit more, get a little bit more extra sleep. That's for sure. Other than that, like you said, the routine doesn't change.

Q: Do you feel a different energy?

JB: Yeah, I feel like guys are a little bit more rested. It's a lot easier to come in after a win rather than a loss. I guess the energy and the vibe is obviously ramping up more and more. So, it's something that we've got to build on and try to earn the right to have this feeling again next week.

Q: Jacoby, you talked about self-belief after the win on Sunday. I'm curious, in your career, what you've learned about yourself, how to deal with the ebbs and the flows of an NFL career, whether it's noise in the media, whether it's what happens on the field, how do you keep yourself at that happy medium?

JB: Having the right people around me, obviously that's one. Then, trusting and believing in the things that got me to the point that I am in my career. You don't just look up and be in the league for nine years. So, I just stick to what I've known that has gotten me this far and what I believe that'll help propel my career even longer. So, just believing in myself.

Q: A lot of times, you'll hear a veteran player, in any sport, maybe sit for a couple of games for whatever reason, injuries and things like that. They tend to be able to learn some stuff that maybe they weren't looking at when they were in that situation. Anything come to you from that? Seeing from afar as opposed to being in the thick of the battle for a couple of games?

JB: No, nothing that strikes me, I would say.

Q: There are quite a few young guys who are stepping into prominent roles on this team. With your experience in the league, what perspective do you try to lend to them during this time of the season?

JB: Keep growing and keep trying to get better. With the old saying of stay green and stay with the ability that you're still learning out there. You learn from the good plays, obviously, but also the bad plays. Being able to shake off the bad plays, move on to a good play, also learning why those bad plays happen and make the most of the next opportunity that you get.

Q: What are some of your takeaways when you look at the Tennessee defense?

JB: Really good defense. We were talking about it; they're up there in starting fast as a team, obviously, but definitely as a defense. A lot of good talent. I think they have one of the top 15 defensive players in the league in Jeffrey [Simmons], and he pops up off the film. I remember playing him back in my Colts days, and he always gave us a lot of fits. It's no surprise that he's still playing at this level at this part of his career, but a lot of other good guys that are playing really good football.

Q: What did it mean to get the game ball on Sunday?

JB: It was cool. Obviously, not expecting – I won't say not expecting to play, but obviously, it wasn't on my bingo card before the game. Just to go out there and make the most of the opportunity.

Q: Jacoby, you mentioned being in the league for nine years. There are a lot of guys who are talented and don't enjoy staying power in the league. What's been the key for you to be in season nine and counting to have that staying power?

JB: Keep learning, enjoy learning. I love learning about the game of football. I love learning how to be a better man, better teammate, better player, and I think that has helped me so far. I think, like I said, I think those things have just – I think it's just that. I think it's just continuing to learn. I think that's really what's kept me in the league.

Q: Jacoby, Jerod [Mayo] told us that Drake will be limited in practice today and won't practice for longer than 30 minutes. How does that change your practice approach, regimen or anything today?

JB: I guess I've got to wait 30 minutes to start practicing. That's about it. Other than that, nothing.

Q: Jacoby, is it tough for players to kind of roll with the trade deadline? I mean, understanding what it is, what it means, but is it tough for guys to lose players and then kind of come back the next week like all's good?

JB: Yeah, I mean, it's tough when you're around a guy and then they get traded, but you obviously understand that's just part of the league. I mean, I got traded first game of the season. So, I didn't get a chance to go through the season, but it definitely takes a toll. But being a professional, you've got to kind of roll with the punches, and in certain aspects, pick up the slack and then in other aspects, you've just got to turn the page and just get going.

Q: What have you seen from Joe Milton, and what's it like to come in as a third quarterback into a season? Your first year, you were kind of in that same situation. What were you trying to do and learn quickly?

JB: Learn. Literally that's it. That's all I try to do is learn and never know how it turns out.

Q: What have you seen from him as far as just his development and the way he's approaching the game?

JB: I think he's learning, getting better, taking advantage of his reps on the practice field, and I think that's probably about it, right?

Q: Do you use the virtual reality headsets in your game prep, or is that more for the young guys?

JB: No. Yeah, I don't do that. I don't even play video games, so I'm not going to put a headset on.

Q: More like a big picture question, but you've thrown 1,759 passes in your career. Do you ever think about the best throw that you've had?

JB: The best throw? Oh, no, that's nine years. It's a long time, man. I don't know how many –I think all of them were good throws, right? None of them were bad.

Q: Because we were talking, just a general discussion, like the play to Boutte, just given the situation, the 34-yarder.

JB: Yeah, that definitely was not one of my best throws. Like I said after the game, I think Boutte did the hard part on that play in making that catch.

Q: How so?

JB: I mean, the ball died, and he had to go to the ground. Obviously, my legs, I couldn't put my legs into the ball, but yeah, I think he made the hard part in making the catch.

Q: It's kind of stood out that in some of the end of game situations, Kayshon Boutte's made sure that he's looking for the official to give him the ball. Is that something you guys work on in practice, or is that just kind of something he knows to do?

JB: Yeah, no, that's what we do in practice, yeah.

Q: The receivers and just the whole team kind of rallied behind you against last game. I mean, they all spoke so highly about you after as well. What was that like to have their support?

JB: Oh, it was good. I mean, it's good at any time to have their support. It was trying to go win the game, so that's all that really mattered. I think they wanted to win, too. So, it was a good day.