As the preseason comes to a close and the regular season looms on the horizon, the New England Patriots face a crucial decision: who will start at quarterback? Veteran Jacoby Brissett, who left the field with a shoulder injury during New England’s preseason game against the Washington Commanders, has sparked speculation about the Patriots’ starting quarterback. With rookie sensation Drake Maye making a compelling case for New England’s starting position, head coach Jerod Mayo may soon have to make a difficult decision. The debate over who should start for the Patriots has been nonstop since New England selected Maye in the 2024 NFL Draft. NFL insider Michael Lombardi shared his thoughts on the situation during a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.
“If I were in New England, I would only let Brissett play because I think their offensive line is in such bad shape that I don’t want to hinder the progress of the young rookies,” Lombardi said. “I think he’s shown himself very well. I think he’s showing he has a future, but the preseason is a lot different than the regular season. I think they signed Brissett for a reason, and unless they can protect the young quarterback, there’s no reason to put him on the field.”
Why the Patriots shouldn’t put Drake Maye in the starting lineup
Lombardi’s cautious approach echoes the views of former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, who recently appeared on the same show. When asked for his thoughts on the quarterback situation, Belichick said, “I don’t think you really know how anyone plays in the preseason, especially at the quarterback position. Most of those games are very easy and I put more emphasis on what the players do in practice.”
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Contrary to what some may think, there is no denying that Maye has been impressive in the preseason. With Brissett out, Maye took the reins against the Commanders and showed off his skills. In five first-half series, he completed 13 of 20 passes for 126 yards and added a touchdown to his stat sheet. Maye’s heroics for the Patriots against Washington were just another part of an impressive preseason debut.
Maye’s numbers weren’t spectacular, but they were satisfactory: 62.7% of his passes were completed and there were no interceptions. For now, however, the 21-year-old could continue his learning curve and wait for the opportunity that might present itself at some point during the season. New England will soon have to name a starting quarterback, and while it’s still uncertain, it might not be a surprise if Maye is used only as a backup early in his NFL career.
