On Wednesday, New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo was again asked about the team’s starting quarterback decision. Jacoby Brissett entered training camp as QB1, but Mayo had stated it would remain an open competition. Rookie Drake Maye continues to develop confidence and a feel for running the offense.
The Patriots still have another preseason game and Mayo indicated the final decision on his Week 1 starter will not be made until after New England plays Washington. “I would say by Monday night, we should know who the (starting) quarterback is,” responded Mayo. “Sunday night game, it’s always hard to really crank through the film, especially on the road.
But I think Monday, Tuesday, we probably need to know who it is.” The head coach added, “Now, that doesn’t mean I’ll tell you on Monday or Tuesday.” Jacoby Brissett Brissett received the vast majority of first-unit reps throughout training camp.
He started both preseason games but failed to impress with his on-field performance. But there is far more that goes into such a decision. It is not just how Brissett performs individually, but which quarterback will put the New England Patriots offense in the best position to perform well as a unit.
“I think it starts with the operation,” said Mayo. “I always say, good huddle, good break, good play. And so it starts in the huddle, then getting guys lined up and going out there executing the play, making the right reads, and moving the offense down the field.
” Jacoby Brissett seems to have no issues with the “operation” side of the quarterback position. The question is whether he can move the offense down the field. He has failed to do that in the Patriots’ two preseason games, albeit in a small sample size.
From Mayo’s comments, it sounds like Brissett needs to show he can do that against the Commanders on Sunday or he could be replaced. But Mayo did give an endorsement of his veteran QB. “It’s still a competition, and Jacoby (Brissett) is still QB1,” said Mayo.
Drake Maye Maye played only one series against the Panthers but looked good with more time against the Eagles. Maye showed off solid footwork, sliding in the pocket to avoid a sack and unleash a beautiful pass downfield. He showed good mobility, running for a score.
And Mayo said, “100% I think he’s ready to run a huddle,” about Maye. That was not necessarily the case heading into training camp. Drake Maye was one of six quarterbacks selected in Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft.
J.J. McCarthy is out for the year after a preseason injury.
Michael Penix Jr. will back up Kirk Cousins on the Falcons. But the other three quarterbacks will all start Week 1.
The Bears’ Caleb Williams, Commanders’ Jayden Daniels, and Broncos’ Bo Nix were all officially named their team’s starting quarterback. Will Maye make it four? Former Patriots advisor Ernie Adams stated Maye should start whenever he is ready. Drew Bledsoe , who was New England’s Week 1 starter as a rookie in 1993, echoed that sentiment, saying that it was an individual decision for each quarterback.
But Bledsoe noted the team also needs to be ready to have a rookie quarterback in there to avoid ruining their confidence or long-term outlook. Are the New England Patriots ready to support Drake Maye as their starting quarterback in Week 1 this season? Does Jacoby Brissett need a strong performance in an otherwise meaningless preseason game against the Washington Commander to preserve his spot as QB1? After Sunday’s game and Jerod Mayo’s decision, the biggest question looming over New England’s season will be answered next week. Stay tuned.
This article first appeared on Patriots Football Now and was syndicated with permission..
