The New England Patriots are expected to make their long-awaited decision on their starting quarterback on Thursday morning after a tough battle during the offseason and training camp between third-round pick Drake Maye and veteran Jacoby Brissett.
We saw solid selections from both sides, but now it’s time to decide who’s the right fit for week one. Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo will end the discussion Thursday morning, but the verdict is still out on who will be under center for New England next season.
In the meantime, while we wait for the plan to be revealed, I’ll give my prediction on how the QB1 race will play out — with both Brissett and Maye getting the nod. Each side has its pros and cons, so let’s take a look:
The Jacoby Brissett case
There are two things that speak in favor of Brissett’s position as the Patriots’ starting quarterback: his experience advantage and the opportunity to give Maye more time to familiarize himself with the job of a professional quarterback.
While it may not be the most exciting decision to choose the seasoned veteran over the shiny new rookie, it could be the smarter route for the Patriots. Especially considering the tough schedule New England will have to endure to start the season, letting Brissett call the shots is probably the better option for the sake of Maye’s development and even the team’s record.
The Patriots will face the Cincinnati Bengals in the first four weeks of the season, play the New York Jets on a short week and travel to the San Francisco 49ers. None of those options sound appealing to Maye, which could open a window for him to get some extra time as a backup and get a few extra weeks to prepare.
It’s hard to imagine Maye sitting out his entire rookie season, as he’s already shown strong potential to justify a year-one start, but the decision to be patient could pay off.
If Brissett struggles early in the year, there’s nothing stopping Mayo from releasing the veteran early to see what his rookie QB can do. But if Brissett is successful in the Patriots’ first few games, it’s not a big deal to keep him as the starter for this offense. The veteran can lead New England to win-loss success while giving Maye even more time to prepare for his inevitable debut.
If Brissett simply doesn’t start well and continues to struggle, the Patriots can quickly pivot to a B option in Maye. If Maye starts, it would be difficult to pivot to Maye if things get shaky, so this scenario gives New England a little more flexibility, which could make choosing between the two a lot easier.
The Drake Maye case
If you were to ask Patriots fans what outcome they most want in this situation, naming Drake Maye the starter would probably be the most eagerly anticipated outcome – and there’s a reason for that.
In Maye’s first few appearances, it’s clear that he’s the most talented signal-caller among New England’s quarterbacks. He’s already shown off his heralded arm talent, his foot game has improved tremendously since he was first selected by the Patriots in April, and his ability to extend plays and pose a threat with his legs is something that Brissett himself doesn’t offer.
Maye has the potential to become an elite talent, and with limited action during training camp and the preseason, the chance to see him get more time as a starter could be hugely beneficial to his development moving forward. The question, however, is can this offensive line really support a rookie QB?
Considering that Maye has found a way to improve his game compared to the players around him based on his poor situation last year at UNC, he could replicate that with the Patriots, but that’s risky given the long-term implications.
Prediction: Jacoby Brissett
Ultimately, Brissett appears to be the guy who can earn the start against the Cincinnati Bengals, with Maye not far behind as a midseason addition. The decision to move the veteran into the starting lineup gives the Patriots more flexibility to pivot later in the year if/when necessary, and prevents their rookie quarterback from jumping in at the deep end in what could be a rocky early period.
It almost seemed as if Coach Mayo had hinted at the decision to start Brissett at Wednesday’s press conference when he spoke about the upcoming QB1 situation: “It’s important to remember that what’s good for the team today may not be good for the team in a few weeks.”
This is a marathon, not a sprint. Keeping Maye out of the early-season frenzy wouldn’t hinder his development and could actually help him in the long run — and that’s the most important factor. It’s not to say Brissett won’t be able to handle himself during New England’s early days, and when that happens, the rookie will be ready to go.
The announcement is expected to be made during Coach Mayo’s press conference, scheduled for Thursday morning, August 29th at 8:30 a.m. ET.
