Before the start of training camp, New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo made it clear that Jacoby Brissett was the team’s starting quarterback. Mayo’s confidence in Brissett was firm, noting that he had earned the top spot following spring practices.
However, Mayo also indicated that Brissett’s position as the starter for the regular season was not guaranteed, as he would need to prove himself during training camp and the preseason, where he faced competition from other quarterbacks, most notably rookie Drake Maye.
Initially, Brissett had a strong lead in the quarterback competition, with practice reps and preseason usage supporting his status as the front-runner. The expectation was that Brissett would hold onto the starting role, with the competition from Bailey Zappe and Joe Milton being more theoretical than practical.
However, as training camp progressed, the situation began to change, particularly due to Maye’s impressive development on the field.
By mid-August, Mayo’s tone had shifted. While he initially backed Brissett as the likely starter, he later emphasized that the quarterback position was still up for grabs, acknowledging that Maye had a real chance of overtaking Brissett.
This change in stance highlighted the rookie’s progress, as he began to consistently perform well in practices, catching the attention of both the coaching staff and the media. Mayo praised Maye’s work ethic and improvement, suggesting that he was closing the gap on Brissett.
Despite Maye’s progress, Brissett continued to be the first quarterback up in practices, indicating that the Patriots were sticking to their original development plan for the rookie.
Mayo acknowledged that while the plan could be flexible, they were committed to ensuring that Maye was properly prepared before being thrust into a starting role. This cautious approach underscored the team’s long-term focus on Maye’s development rather than rushing him into action.
The quarterback competition has become more intense than initially anticipated. While Brissett remains the likely starter, Maye’s upward trajectory has made the race for QB1 more competitive.
The Patriots appear content to let the competition play out, with the understanding that Maye’s development is crucial for the team’s future, even if Brissett starts the season as the number one quarterback.
