Jacoby Brissett talks about his bench press: “I don't think words can really describe how hard it is.”

Mayo, who had been firmly behind Brissett as the starter since the start of training camp, said Wednesday it was time to move on to Maye, the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

“He was a warrior,” Mayo said of Brissett, who was sacked 17 times in the first five games. “As you know, he took a lot of hits and always got back up.

“I think Drake gives us the best chance to win now and in the future. Like I said, he's getting better every week. By the end of training camp, he was actually trending very high. That continued at the start of the season.”

Brissett, who postponed meeting with the media on Wednesday, spoke calmly in a session that lasted about five minutes on Thursday.

“I was telling someone this the other day: I’ve been through tougher times in my life,” Brissett said. “I'm sure this won't be the last time I go through something difficult. I'll be fine.

The 31-year-old Brissett, who signed a one-year deal in the offseason, was named the starter by Mayo at the start of camp. But the Patriots' offense, particularly the passing game, struggled over the course of a 1-4 start.

The Patriots rank at or near the bottom of the NFL in most major offensive categories, including points per game (12.4, 31st), passing yards per game (119.4, 32nd) and total yards per game (250th). ,8, 31.). Brissett has completed 58.5 percent of his passes for 696 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

However, he is certainly not the only reason for the offensive problems. An ineffective line and health issues for some skill position players have contributed to the problems.

When asked if he felt like a scapegoat, Brissett said that wasn't a question for him.

“I’m not answering them. I’m not going to go into that,” he said. “Someone else can answer that question.”

Brissett, a third-round pick of the Patriots in 2016 who played for four other teams before returning to Foxborough, has built a lot of goodwill in the locker room and with the coaching staff. Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said it was a difficult move given the depth of his relationship with Brissett. The two also worked together in Cleveland before coming to New England in the offseason.

“Our relationship in Cleveland carries a lot of weight there,” Van Pelt said. “It's hard to imagine a guy going out there and doing what he did — again, taking the hits and making plays when he has the opportunity — and saying, 'Hey, we're going to get the ball to the young man pass along.' It's difficult.

“But again, I think he's the guy we wanted here, knowing his personality and his team-first mentality. He knew he was bringing in a young quarterback. I think that was one of the decisions we made as an organization in terms of the type of person we wanted to bring into the building to work with Drake.”

“Jacoby is the ultimate professional,” senior defensive tackle Davon Godchaux said. “He is a leader. He's captain for a reason. He knows how to handle it. This isn't his first time doing this.

“He is a professional. He will be a professional. He'll still teach Drake. Still a mentor to Drake. I'm just happy that Drake gets the opportunity to showcase his skills. Show us why he was selected with the No. 3 overall pick.”

“He’s the ideal teammate,” Maye said of Brissett Wednesday. “The ideal guy to be in the room with as a quarterback. I think the biggest thing is that you hate it for him. I think Jacoby fought back and got up every time he got hit.

“He’s a great mentor, a great friend. I tried to do everything I could to help him and I’m sure he will do the same.”

Brissett said things remain fine between him and Maye.

“Great boy. Great boy,” Brissett said. “No malice in my heart towards him. Of course I only want the best for him. I'm very happy for him.

“Drake asked me how I was doing. I thought, 'Man, if you're worried about me, you're worrying about the wrong thing right now.' I can take care of myself.' Of course I really appreciated that.”

Brissett noted that the game in which he made his first NFL start was on NFL Network in the training room, a 27-0 win over Houston in 2016 that included a touchdown run.

“The child I was. I had no facial hair,” Brissett said with a small smile. “Just cheese all the time. I remember the excitement I had.”

Now, eight years later, Maye will start for the first time against an aggressive Houston defense. Asked what this week — and the rest of this season — might have in store for him, Brissett shrugged.

“We’ll see how it goes,” he said.

Christopher Price can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @cpriceglobe.