FOXBOROUGH – After practice on Wednesday, Drake Maye was asked directly if he considered Jacoby Brissett as the Patriots’ starting quarterback.
Speaking of hot potatoes, Maye has really struggled to be on the field as a starter in Week 1, while Brissett, the recognized “QB1,” has not played well in games and lately, practice can also be factored into that equation.
Maye thought about the question and then answered, “Uh… I’m not 100 percent sure.”
It was a confident, polite response from the rookie. Maye played nice. He was respectful to the veteran and those who ultimately made the decision. He didn’t use the opportunity to promote himself after putting in another good workout.
Two days after Brissett said, “I still treat myself like I’m the starter,” Maye more or less walked back his answer, even when asked if Sunday’s game against Washington might be a final push for him to get the job.
“I think I’m just going to take my opportunities,” Maye said. “Jacoby’s done a great job. He’s a great player and a great teammate. He’s played with the 1s all the time. I’m happy for him and I’m trying to take advantage of the reps that I get and when I’m in there, I’m trying to have some fun.”
If this was a real competition, Maye would get more time with the 1s. He knows that. And so does everyone else. He was No. 2 throughout practice. If there’s one message from practice, it’s that Jacoby is the starter. The players see that, too.
While Maye made his first appearances with center David Andrews at practice on Tuesday, he had three handoffs. That’s hardly a reason to be happy.
While Maye acknowledged that it was great to take snaps with Andrews, he said those reps were helpful in being ready since he was likely “just a snap away” as a replacement.
Maye didn’t approach the question as if his time with Andrews was more about the possibility of becoming a starter. He just wants to be ready when the time comes.
Some may think he’s a little too passive and not passionate enough about the job. Given all the circumstances and problems, and especially as a 21-year-old rookie, he’s playing just the right thing. He does the talking on the field. He doesn’t have to put in the effort anywhere else.
Still, is the idea of Maye being a starter in Week 1 really realistic?
Jerod Mayo said that if Maye beats Brissett, he will be the starter, stressing that it is still a competition. Perhaps the Patriots coach was simply trying to encourage the veteran.
It didn’t happen. Brissett hasn’t been miserably bad, but he just hasn’t been better than Maye lately. He was better throughout training camp, but not in the final week when things really clicked for the rookie.
Will that be enough for the 3rd overall pick to overtake Brissett?
Probably not. And that’s OK. While Mayo said he’s “100 percent” sure Maye can run the huddle, the kid still needs time. He still has some issues to work out. And the offensive line is a lingering problem. Vederian Lowe, who played the most games at left tackle, left practice on Tuesday with an injury. The line as a whole, with the tackle position undecided, is not suited to give a rookie, let alone a quarterback, a chance.
In this scenario, Brissett remains the placeholder. He’s still likely the starter in Week 1 against Cincinnati. But the time frame for Mayes to take over the offense has increased. His deployment seems likely sooner rather than later, especially if Brissett fails in the early going.
Plus, it works better if Maye ends up taking Brissett’s place than the other way around. The last thing the Patriots want is to hand the baton to Maye too early, watch him struggle, and then have to go to the bullpen for Brissett. That scenario doesn’t set the tone for the future. Instead, it sets them back.
When Maye was asked if his goal was to be a starter in Week 1 and if he would be disappointed if he didn’t, he again took his time answering.
“Um, yeah, I think that’s a good question,” Maye said, gathering his thoughts. “I think the most important thing for me is that I achieve personal goals by winning. My personal goal is to help this football team win in any way I can. Whether that means playing as a starter or helping Jacoby, the main focus is to help this team win.”
Maye said he trusts the organization and coaches to put him on the field at the right time when they feel he is ready. He added, “I’m just here to keep working and be ready when my name is called.”
The Patriots need to get their timing right. Maye needs to be ready and the coaches need to find the best combination of offensive players to protect him.
Mayo had said earlier in the day that he could see his young quarterback’s “confidence growing,” and that confidence also extends to handling the “competition” with Brissett and navigating some of the difficult questions that come with battling for a job with a respected veteran.
