The Patriots’ quarterback battle with Drake Maye is “definitely” not over yet

Patriots

“We still have three days of training camp ahead of us and it is our job as coaches to evaluate this. The competition is not over yet.”

Drake Maye still has a chance to overtake Jacoby Brissett and start in Week 1 against Cincinnati, coach Jerod Mayo said.

Brissett started both preseason games and was a regular for the first team throughout training camp, but Mayo said he viewed the situation as a competition.

“We have three days of training camp left and it’s our job as coaches to evaluate that. The competition isn’t over yet,” Mayo said. “They’re still going to go out there and have to show something not only to themselves and their coaches but also to their teammates. So it’s definitely still a competition.”

Maye outshone Brissett in Thursday night’s 14-13 loss to the Eagles at Gillette Stadium. Maye scored New England’s only touchdown on a 4-yard option run and finished 6 of 11 passing for 47 yards. He also threw an impressive deep throw to Javon Baker that would have been a highlight had it not fallen.

Brissett, meanwhile, struggled, completing 3 of 7 passes for 17 yards, including an interception in the red zone on New England’s opening drive. Brissett tried to force a throw to tight end Austin Hooper in the end zone, and Philadelphia’s Avonte Maddox stepped up to intercept the ball.

“We just forced the play,” Mayo said. “We had other players free on that play and it was just a bad play, a terrible play. We can’t afford to do that, especially when you have guaranteed points on the board.”

“We went from ‘we’ve almost got a field goal’ to a seven-point play by losing the ball,” Mayo added. “So just a bad play overall, and I think if you ask Jacoby, he’d say the same thing.”

Mayo was asked what he needs to show to prove he is ready to start on opening day.

“I think first and foremost the whole operation needs to get faster,” Mayo said. “I think he needs to get guys in the huddle quicker, get them out of the huddle quicker, get to the line and get to the point. I think that’s definitely one thing he needs to work on and I think he’s doing that. We’ve got three days of camp left and that’s going to be my focus for him.”

Dealing with pressure is one aspect of Maye’s game that has improved significantly, Mayo said. Maye moves much better than before.

“Some of the things that have happened the last few weeks have been just him turning up the pressure,” Mayo said. “I thought he was better overall, using his legs and really extending plays. He made some good throws and we didn’t make the catch, but he definitely took a step forward.”

Maye and Brissett each played a series in the season opener against the Panthers. Maye completed 2 of 3 passes for 19 yards. Brissett completed 0 of 3.

Maye has trained mainly with the second team this summer and has yet to take part in replays with the regular players.

“We’ll see,” Mayo said. “We’ll have a staff meeting later today and that decision will be made. I think overall he definitely showed progress yesterday and we’ll see what happens going forward.”