Drake Maye put on another solid performance in the New England Patriots’ final preseason game against the Washington Commanders, potentially giving him a good shot at being the team’s starting quarterback in Week 1. If Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo decides to name Maye the Patriots’ starting quarterback in Week 1, the rookie believes he’s primed to do so. If Mayo decides to name Jacoby Brissett the starting quarterback, Maye is willing to accept a backup role.
“Yeah, I think I would feel ready,” Maye told reporters after the Patriots’ preseason loss on Sunday. “I think I’m ready for whatever this football team asks of me and ready to go out there and help us beat the Bengals in Week 1.”
In his second extended preseason appearance, Maye had some impressive moments. The rookie led the Patriots to an 88-yard touchdown drive on his first possession Sunday. He extended the drive early by running for 17 yards on a third-and-14. Later in the drive, he completed a strong downfield pass to fellow rookie Ja’Lynn Polk for a 29-yard gain. The drive was capped off when Maye completed a tight pass to Kevin Harris, who turned the pass into an 18-yard touchdown.
Maye’s most impressive moment in Sunday’s game was a play that didn’t count. Late in the first half, Maye escaped pressure from the Commanders’ pass rush, ran left and then threw a long ball across his body to KJ Osborn. The veteran wide receiver caught the ball and ran into the end zone, where he could have scored a 48-yard touchdown, but Patriots left tackle Chukwuma Okarafor was penalized for illegal lining up, nullifying the point.
That was one of the last passes Maye threw that night. In Sunday’s game, he completed 13 of 20 passes for 126 yards and rushed for 17 yards.
Those who watched Sunday’s game may have gotten the impression that Maye is the Patriots’ better quarterback option. However, a common argument against Maye’s immediate start is the state of the Patriots’ offensive line. The unit once again looked weak on Sunday, picking up eight penalties in the first half.
Adding to those concerns is the fact that Brissett also got injured in the first quarter of Sunday’s game after taking a hit to the right shoulder during a sack. With Brissett injured, it would be easy to assume Maye will be able to start in Week 1.
What Jerod Mayo said about Drake Mayes’ chances of being the Patriots’ starter in Week 1
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Mayo dismissed any concerns about Brissett’s health after Sunday’s game, telling reporters that Brissett could have returned if it had been a regular season game.
Although Brissett’s health is fine, Mayo has not named a starting quarterback after Sunday’s game. However, he did give some indication of how he views the talent of Brissett and Maye.
“I would love to sit here and say with 100 percent certainty that he is our second-best quarterback on our roster right now,” Mayo said of Maye.
That’s certainly a strong indication that Brissett will open the year as the starting quarterback. New England has less than two weeks to decide, but Mayo has previously said the team wants to name a starting quarterback when roster cuts are made on Tuesday, so the countdown has officially begun.
