The Patriots ended the 2024 preseason on Sunday night with both Jacoby Brissett And Drake May Playing time under center. While a final decision on the team’s starting quarterback will be considered in Week 1, the rookie’s performance this summer has made the decision closer than it seemed at the start of training camp. 
“It’s a real competition and I would say that Drake has outdone Jacoby at this point,” Head Coach Jerod Mayo said during an appearance on Monday at WEEI The Greg Hill Show (h/t Mike Reiss of ESPN). “When we say that, we have to take into account all the work that went back to the spring and the beginning of training camp… It starts in practice and also in the game where Drake played better.
“There are several factors that have to be considered in making this decision. One of them 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.”
Selected third overall in the draft in April – after the Patriots rejected transfer offers from the Giants and Vikings – Maye has long been known as the team’s long-term quarterback plan. However, the North Carolina product was one of the younger passers in his draft class, and his disappointing play in 2023 led many to label him a candidate for a developmental rookie season. With Brissett on a one-year deal, redshirting Maye is certainly an option for Mayo and Co., with veteran reporter Josina Anderson noting that the 31-year-old is viewed by some in the Patriots organization as the better option to start the season.
Unsurprisingly, Brissett began training camp as the leader in the league. However, his performances over the summer were not impressive and Mayo’s confirmation that Maye has surpassed him comes after the new head coach publicly left open the possibility of a change in the pecking order. With three preseason games (and practice appearances) to evaluate, the fact that Maye has caught up makes the situation even more intriguing.
Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels And Bo Nix have already earned the QB1 title for their respective teams. Maye could be the fourth rookie to take the field in Week 1, and a decision on whether he or Brissett gets the nod is likely to be made in the next few days. A cautious approach still wouldn’t be a surprise, but Mayo’s opinion suggests that Maye has a good chance of securing a starting spot right away.
