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Mike Reiss, editor at ESPN
FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts – New England Patriots coach Jerod Mayo says rookie Drake Maye has narrowed the gap on veteran Jacoby Brissett, but the decision on a starting quarterback goes beyond that.
“It’s a real competition, and I would say Drake has trumped Jacoby at this point,” Mayo said Monday during his weekly appearance on WEEI’s “Greg Hill Show.” “When we say that, we have to take into account all the work that goes back to the spring and the start of training camp. And we’ll see where we end up. But those are the conversations that will be had here over the next few days.”
Mayo explained this later Monday morning in a video conference with reporters.
“It starts in practice and also in the game, where Drake played better,” Mayo said. “Still, everyone wants to know who’s going to be the starter. There are several factors that have to go into that decision. One is the overall body of work, whether we’re talking about the spring or the entire training camp. And I would also say that we often forget the overall experience that a guy like Jacoby has, which will also play a role in the decision we have to make in the near future.”
“I’m happy with the way these guys are fighting. Hopefully we can name a starter in the next few days and get the season rolling.”
The Patriots, who open the regular season at the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 8, arrived at their facility at 4 a.m. ET after losing 20-10 to the Washington Commanders in Sunday’s final preseason game. Mayo acknowledged that the right shoulder injury Brissett suffered on the opening series, which the quarterback could have played through on Sunday night, is among the factors that will need to be discussed.
“Jacoby could come here today and say his shoulder isn’t right. So I’m not going to look too far into the future and say whether Jacoby could play or not,” Mayo said on WEEI.
Brissett, 31, who is in his ninth NFL season, started 11 games with the Cleveland Browns in 2022, leading an offense similar to the Patriots under coordinator Alex Van Pelt, a former Browns assistant.
Brissett started all three of the Patriots’ preseason games, played 27 total snaps and finished 5 of 14 passing for 36 yards with zero touchdowns and one interception. His pass catchers weren’t always a help to him. Van Pelt caught a route error that preceded his interception and KJ Osborn dropped a pinpoint deep ball on Sunday night.
Maye has followed Brissett in all three games, playing 66 snaps and completing 21 of 34 passes for 192 yards with one touchdown and zero interceptions. He has added seven carries for 32 yards and one touchdown.
Mayo could not give a specific time when Maye began outplaying Brissett.
“Drake is becoming more and more comfortable with the scheme and the players around him,” Mayo said, adding, “I don’t know how the story ends with Drake’s rookie season, but all possibilities are open.”
