Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
The New England Patriots have made a decision on whether veteran Jacoby Brissett or rookie Drake Maye will begin the season as the team’s starting quarterback, but head coach Jerod Mayo told reporters he would not reveal who that will be until he speaks with the team on Thursday.
Dakota Randall of Pro Football Network relayed Mayo’s remarks.
Dakota Randall @dakrandall
No announcement today on the Patriots’ quarterback. Jerod Mayo said he has made a decision but will not announce it until after he informs the team tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/ksYy4FURys
Mayo also added these remarks, per Albert Breer from Sports illustrated.
“I think it’s important to remember that what’s good for the team today may not be good for the team in a few weeks. The challenge is that you want to win every single game now, but we’re also trying to build something special here.”
The Patriots selected Maye, the former UNC star, with the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Brissett is entering his ninth NFL season. This is his second time with the Patriots, who originally selected him as a third-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
We’ll surely find out soon enough whether Maye or Brissett will be called up in Week 1, but speculation seems to point to the rookie getting the nod.
Jones and Keefe @christopher_schoen
Breaking news: Jerod Mayo says he hasn’t announced a starter at quarterback yet, leading Jones to believe Drake Mayo is QB1 pic.twitter.com/9OITXM8XxT
But there are also news and quotes that suggest that Maye will initially sit on the bench.
Andrew Callahan @_AndrewCallahan
Drake Maye looks great tonight. He was clearly the #Patriots best QB of the last 12 days.
But these quotes from Alex Van Pelt stand out in my opinion. He called Brissett “significantly better equipped” for Week 1 and said “ifs and ifs” when discussing Maye’s learning curve against complex defenses. https://t.co/6AAh2K2Jxo pic.twitter.com/vvd5Ujfrh8
Jorie Epstein @JoriEpstein
Pats will consider quarterback performance as well as short- and long-term goals.
“You don’t want to send a guy out there if he doesn’t know how to protect himself from certain looks.”
“I think everyone knows we’re not there yet.”
+ Insight into the Maye Draft Meeting 👇🏽https://t.co/FNuG3Trqtq
So it’s not entirely clear what the Pats will do now, but the answer will soon be known. Either way, New England opens the season on Sunday, September 8, on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals.
