The New England Patriots’ quarterback situation has become increasingly intriguing as head coach Jerod Mayo declared that the competition between veteran Jacoby Brissett and rookie Drake Maye is ‘definitely not over’. This statement comes in the wake of Maye’s impressive performance in the Patriots’ recent 14-13 preseason loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.Maye, the No. 3 overall pick in the NFL draft, showcased his potential by leading two scoring drives and finishing 6-of-11 for 47 yards, including a 4-yard rushing touchdown. Mayo praised Maye’s improvement, noting that he ‘definitely took a step forward’ and did a better job of using his legs and extending plays under pressure. However, Mayo also highlighted areas for improvement, such as speeding up the entire offensive operation and enhancing accuracy.While Brissett has started both preseason games and most of training camp, his performance against the Eagles was less than stellar, with Mayo describing his red zone interception as ‘poor’ and ‘terrible’. This has opened the door for Maye to potentially receive first-team reps in the coming week.Mayo emphasized that the decision on the starting quarterback will be based on performance and readiness. ‘When he’s ready to go, and if he’s better than Jacoby, then he’ll play; he’ll start,’ Mayo stated. The coach also stressed the importance of balancing Maye’s development with the risk of overwhelming him, citing examples of successful quarterbacks like Peyton Manning who struggled initially but quickly led their teams to contention.As the Patriots prepare for their final preseason game against the Washington Commanders on August 25, followed by their season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 8, all eyes will be on this evolving quarterback situation. Mayo’s comments have ensured that this competition will remain a focal point of the Patriots’ preseason narrative.
Key points
- Patriots coach Jerod Mayo has declared the quarterback competition between Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye is still ongoing.
- Rookie QB Drake Maye impressed in the recent preseason game, leading two scoring drives and rushing for a touchdown.
- Mayo praised Maye’s improvement but also highlighted areas for development, such as speeding up the offensive operation.
- The final decision on the starting quarterback will be based on performance and readiness, with the possibility of Maye getting first-team reps.
Contradictions👾While most sources indicate an open competition, some earlier reports suggested Brissett was the clear starter.
This contradiction highlights the fluid nature of the quarterback situation.
