The Patriots have not yet handed over the keys to expected starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
Hours after rookie quarterback Drake Maye shone in the Patriots’ 14-13 loss to the Eagles in preseason on Thursday, head coach Jerod Mayo said the battle for the QB1 role is “definitely not over.”
“I thought when he increased the pressure, he used his legs better and really extended the game,” Mayo said of Maye on Friday, according to ESPN.
Maye, who was selected third in this year’s NFL Draft, led the Patriots in scoring on two of their three offensive drives, completing 6 of 11 passes for 47 yards.
He also ran for a touchdown.
The former North Carolina product played in the second and third quarters of the game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
“I think every time you go out there, you get more confident,” Maye said afterward, according to Pro Football Talk. “First of all, it’s always the nerves the first time you go out there and start running. But other than that, more reps just help me. At the end of the day, I’m just happy that I can go out there, get some reps and make the most of my opportunities.”
Brissett, a nine-year NFL veteran who began his career with the Patriots in 2016 before re-signing with the team in March, had a disappointing performance against Philadelphia, catching three passes for 17 yards and an interception.
Although Brissett was labeled a “starter” by offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt at minicamp in June, Mayo left the door open in his postgame press conference on Thursday.
“For me, it’s always about competition, and that goes for all positions. Even if Drake beats Jacoby, he’s earned that role… If he’s ready and better than Jacoby, then he’ll play and start,” the first-year coach said.
The Patriots Do have – at least for now – two more quarterbacks on their roster: veteran Bailey Zappe and sixth-round rookie Joe Milton III, who flashed his skills in the season opener last week.
New England will finish the preseason next week against the Commanders before traveling to Cincinnati for the season opener against the Bengals on September 8.
