Jerod Mayo of the Patriots does not rule out the possibility of Drake Maye taking Jacoby Brissett’s place

New England Patriots coach Jerod Mayo told reporters Thursday that the club’s leaky offensive line will not play a role in the starting quarterback decision between veteran Jacoby Brissett and rookie Drake Maye.

In other words, the better QB will start, regardless of confidence in the protection.

The Patriots believed – and apparently still believe – that Brissett, who was named the starter at the beginning of training camp, would be the quarterback. But after the club’s 14-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the second preseason game, in which Maye showed flashes of potential, Mayo wouldn’t rule out the possibility of the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft getting the starting spot.

“For me, it’s always about competition, and that goes for all positions,” Mayo said. “Even if Drake beats out Jacoby (Brissett), he’s earned that role. … When he’s ready and he’s better than Jacoby, he’ll play; he’ll start.”

At least on Thursday night, Maye was better than Brissett. The North Carolina product had a small mishap when he dropped a snap under center, but other than that, he showed the skills — arm strength, accuracy and agility in and out of the pocket — that caught the Patriots’ attention last spring.

Maye even scored his first NFL touchdown.

Maye finished the game 6 of 11 passing for 47 yards and scored 15 yards and the touchdown on the ground. Brissett, on the other hand, finished the game 3 of 7 passing for 17 yards, including a costly interception in the red zone.

Mayo said the plan was for Maye, who played just six snaps in the club’s first preseason game, to play more than Brissett against the Eagles.

And with the extra playing time comes increased confidence, as Maye explained to reporters after the game.

“I think every time you go out there you get more confident,” Maye said. “First of all, it’s always the nerves when you first go out there and run out there.”

“But other than that, more reps only help me. At the end of the day, I’m just happy that I can go out there and do some reps and do the best I can.”

The Patriots aren’t going to take the job away from Brissett and give it to Maye just because Maye played better than him in a preseason game. But if this contest was a sign of things to come, Maye could be at center sooner rather than later.