FOXBORO, Mass. — At long last, the New England Patriots quarterback competition is over.
On Thursday, head coach Jerod Mayo announced Jacoby Brissett as the Week 1 starter during a brief morning news conference. Drake Maye, who shook off a rough start to training camp and pushed Brissett for the starting role, will serve as the top backup.
Reporters met with both quarterbacks in the locker room shortly after Mayo revealed his decision.
How Jacoby Brissett Reacted To Being Named QB1 for the Patriots
Brissett was first asked to share his feelings on being named the starter.
“Excited,” he said. “Obviously, worked hard to get to this point. Excited for this journey that we’re about to embark on.”
Did he expect to win the job?
“For sure. … I was taking all the (starters) reps,” Brissett said.
Jacoby Brissett said he's "excited" to be the Patriots' starting QB.
How does he feel about Jerod Mayo saying Drake Maye "outplayed" him?
"No feeling" pic.twitter.com/Sj7KoWPjZv
— Dakota Randall (@DakRandall) August 29, 2024
Brissett revealed Mayo delivered him the news early Thursday morning.
“We had an official conversation ’cause y’all wanted them to make an announcement,” Brisset said with a laugh. “So, he said something to me (on Thursday).”
Brissett then was asked how he felt about Mayo recently saying Maye “outplayed” him during the summer.
“No feeling,” he said.
Brissett knows New England’s quarterback situation will be fiercely debated throughout the season, and he knows that Maye won’t stop pushing for the starting role. But the veteran said he won’t let the noise impact how he leads the QB room.
“I think we’ve both done a good job of competing, and I think we’ve both done a good job of helping each other out,” Brissett said of his relationship with Maye. “And that doesn’t change now. And I think we’re, obviously, working together.
” … The competition is still there; the helping of each other won’t stop.”
How Drake Maye Reacted To Losing Patriots QB Competition
Like Brissett, Maye kept his answers short and sweet.
“Excited for Week 1,” he said when asked for his reaction to losing the QB battle. “I think Jacoby is a great player. Excited to do whatever I can to help this team win.”
Is the rookie disappointed about not winning the starting job?
“I wouldn’t say disappointed,” Maye said. “There’s two ways to look at it. Obviously, I want to play, the competitive edge in me. At the same time, I understand the situation. Jacoby has been in the offense and got reps with the 1s all camp … I feel like I left it all out there. No regrets.”
Drake Maye says he’s not disappointed he wasn’t named the starter because he understood the situation he was stepping into.
Maye says he’ll continue to prepare like the starter and is excited for Week 1. Also feels he played well this summer. pic.twitter.com/cqzb8vBbiX
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) August 29, 2024
Maye said his mindset won’t change now that he’s the backup.
“Just do everything I can to prove I can be the starter,” Maye said. “Definitely had a good camp; I feel like I’m throwing it well. Threw it well throughout the preseason. … Just keep my head down and keep working.”
” … I don’t think anything’s changed. I came into this camp working and studying hard to be the starter, and I don’t think that’s gonna change. I’m just one play away, so just gotta be ready for all circumstances. Here to help Jacoby and keep the vibes in the quarterback room up.”
Maye obviously wanted to win the job. But he knows his desire for the starting role can’t impact his respect for Brissett. The 21-year-old must find the right moments to showcase his competitiveness.
“It’s tough to balance that aspect of it,” Maye said. “But him being almost 10 years in the NFL, and me coming in my first year, it’s more of a learning experience. Ask questions. … When I get my chances to take reps, I show that competitive side.”
Maye said Mayo was “up front” when delivering the news. But what was the message from his head coach?
“Just keep doing what I’m doing.”
When Could Maye Debut for the Patriots?
If you asked us this question three weeks ago, we would’ve leaned toward Maye sitting until after the Week 14 bye — if not the entire season.
But his recent improvements change the math. You can’t overstate how much better he looked later in camp compared to the first two weeks. At this point, it’s fair to assume Maye will play sometime during his rookie season, likely much earlier than expected.
There are multiple factors in play, however.
Nobody knows when New England’s offensive line will function as a representative unit, or if it ever will. So long as the offensive line is a disaster, the Patriots should hold back on starting Maye.
And then there’s the schedule, which ties into the O-line’s issues. The Patriots will begin their season by visiting the Bengals, hosting the Seattle Seahawks, visiting the New York Jets, and visiting the San Francisco 49ers. Those are four above-average defenses with formidable front sevens.
The schedule lightens afterward, though, with three of New England’s next five games coming against the Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tennessee Titans. All three have talented defenses but aren’t as loaded as the first four opponents.
If — and it’s a big “if” — the Patriots see their O-line stabilize after four weeks, they could insert Maye for the Week 5 home game against the Dolphins.
The final variable is Brissett himself.
New England has a path toward exceeding expectations in 2024. The reverse outcome is more likely, but you can squint and see a seven- or eight-win team.
If Brissett plays well and wins a few games early in the season, why mess with a good thing? He was signed to be the perfect bridge starter: Someone capable of playing winning football while affording the Patriots the luxury of being patient with Maye, who’s as raw as he is wildly talented.
Again, Maye probably will — and should — play in 2024. But his timeline is unclear, and he could debut at any point in the season.