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Mike Reiss, editor at ESPN
FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts – New England Patriots coach Jerod Mayo says rookie quarterback Drake Maye “definitely took a step forward” in the team’s 14-13 preseason loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday and that the battle for the starting job is “definitely not over.”
Maye has been the No. 2 prospect throughout training camp behind Jacoby Brissett, the nine-year veteran who Mayo says is the team’s “most pro-ready” quarterback. Mayo left open the possibility that Maye could overtake Brissett if he “shines” in practice and games.
After playing one series in the Patriots’ season opener last week, Maye played four series on Thursday night, finishing 6 of 11 passing for 47 yards and a 4-yard touchdown. The stat line would have looked significantly different had wide receiver Javon Baker not dropped a deep strike in the third quarter – arguably Maye’s best play due to the way he manipulated the pocket.
“I think he used his legs better overall and extended plays a lot when he was dealing with pressure,” Mayo said Friday, adding that a “focus” for improvement is getting the entire offense to run faster.
The Patriots plan to have both Brissett and Maye play in their final preseason game against the Washington Commanders on August 25.
“I think the whole offense really needs to play and continue to grow together, and that’s what we’re going to do,” Mayo said.
The Patriots signed Brissett as a free agent in March for one year and $8 million and immediately named him the starter. Brissett has started 48 NFL games in his career and the Patriots valued his background in offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt’s system, as he spent the 2022 season with the Cleveland Browns, as well as his mentorship of a rookie quarterback like Maye.
Brissett played three series on Thursday night and finished 3 of 7 for 17 yards, including a costly interception in the end zone. He played one series in the season opener last week and finished 0 of 3.
“We still have three days of training camp ahead of us and it is our job as coaches to evaluate the result. The competition is not over yet. They have to show something not only to themselves and the coaches, but also to their teammates,” said Mayo.
