The talented newcomer has to wait for his chance behind the experienced veteran.
Head coach Jerod Mayo announced on Thursday that Jacoby Brissett will be the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots and Drake Maye will assist him until further notice.
Some believed Maye had a shot at the starting job after making big strides in training camp and the preseason, going so far as to have Mayo admit the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft had “outperformed” Brissett. So is part of Maye disappointed to be New England’s No. 2 prospect despite his strong summer?
“I wouldn’t say I’m disappointed,” Maye told reporters in his locker on Thursday. “There are obviously two ways of looking at it: Of course I want to play, you know, I have the competitive spirit in me. But at the same time, I understand the situation when I come here. Jacoby has been on offense all camp, playing with the starters. So I can’t really say I’m disappointed, but at the same time I want to play.”
It seemed unlikely that Maye would start in Week 1 when the Patriots drafted the then 21-year-old out of North Carolina in April. Maye was considered the least mature of the projected first-round QBs and the plan was to let him learn and develop behind the experienced Brissett.
However, there is good reason for the Patriots to change that plan this summer. He improved his foot game throughout training camp and got better and better in each preseason game. In Week 2, he ran for a 4-yard touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles and in last Sunday’s finale, he completed 13 of 20 passes for 126 yards and a TD against the Washington Commanders.
“I think I just have to do everything I can to prove I can be the starter,” Maye said when asked about his expectations for the summer. “I think I had a good training camp. I feel like I’m throwing well. Played well all preseason. Other than that, I just have to keep my head down and keep working.”
Given the team’s porous offensive line that allowed constant pressure from opposing defenses in the preseason, the cards may have been stacked against Maye in this QB competition. Putting a rookie QB in that situation would have been a risk, which partially explains why Brissett was selected as the starter as New England focuses on Maye’s long-term development.
With that in mind, Maye felt that despite the final outcome, he had done everything he could to land the Patriots’ starting quarterback job this summer.
“No, I think I left it all out there,” Maye said. “I don’t regret coming back. That’s how it worked out.”
“…I’m one play away, so I just have to be prepared for any situation. I’m here to help Jacoby and continue to give advice to the quarterback room. Nothing is going to change; I’m still rooting for him and cheering him on.”
The Patriots open their season next Sunday (September 8) on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals, with Brissett at quarterback and Maye at defensive back.
