The New England Patriots have a decision to make after a training camp that saw improved performances from a rookie quarterback.
They’ve faced this dilemma a few times over the past few years, and while there are similarities, it’s important to recognize the differences and not associate every scenario with the rookie quarterback.
The Patriots turned a new chapter this offseason, rebuilding and committing to the future by selecting Drake Maye with the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Maye spent the summer with the experienced Jacoby Brissett by his side, who was projected to be the starter.
Now new head coach Jerod Mayo has to make a decision after Maye seemingly overtook Brissett in terms of performance in the last two preseason games for the Patriots.
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In this sense, it is not too different from the story that took place three summers ago.
New England faced a difficult transition after the 2019 season when legendary quarterback Tom Brady left the team, leaving it alone in a COVID-ridden, financially constrained 2020 season. A year later, the Patriots selected Mac Jones, an Alabama product, with the No. 15 overall pick. With veteran and former NFL MVP Cam Newton as the incumbent, Jones played his way into the starting lineup.
Jones threw 22 touchdown passes that season as the Patriots won 10-7 and returned to the playoffs. From there, the once-stellar rookie disappeared completely from the scene over the next two years. New England sent him to the Jacksonville Jaguars before signing Brissett and Maye. Jones has made the most of the change of scenery and had a good preseason for the Jaguars.
Back in Foxboro, there are many factors that could determine how New England decision-makers will evaluate the benefits of Mayes’ starting spot in Week 1. Championship quarterbacks like Brady and Patrick Mahomes sat on the bench in their rookie years and gained valuable experience under veterans.
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Some team insiders, like Tom E. Curran of NBC Sports Boston, suggested that Jones’ decline could impact how the Patriots move forward with Maye. If they decide to bench the North Carolina product because of his youth (only 21 years old) or an uncertain offensive line he could play behind, that’s one thing.
Ultimately, Jones and Maye find themselves in completely different situations as they begin their respective rookie seasons with the Patriots.
Jones, who was nearly a year older than Maye as a rookie, had some players around him and came into New England’s system at the right time, so his rookie status was not the reason he ended up, and therefore shouldn’t be the Patriots’ attitude if Maye sits out.
Instead, Jones fared worse because he lacked the weapons he needed and, more importantly, because he was assigned two coaches, Matt Patricia and Joe Judge, who stunted his development without him having extensive experience as an offensive coach in the sport. That shattered Jones’ confidence last season with the Patriots, leading to the end of his tenure in New England.
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Mayes’ situation is much more influenced by his environment, leading to an important decision for the Patriots.
In this context, there are of course similarities between the entrances to Gillette Stadium for Jones and Maye. However, the Patriots should recognize that the fear of a bad situation manifests itself in a very different way for Maye than it did for his predecessor.
