The Drake May era is beginning in New England.
Patriots coach Jerod Mayo confirmed Wednesday that the team will keep rookie Mayo at quarterback, a day after news broke that the team would bench veteran Jacoby Brissett after a 1-4 start.
“Drake gives us the best chance to win now and in the future,” Mayo told reporters during a media session.
May and Brissett were informed of the decision by Mayo on Tuesday night, the coach revealed.
The Patriots named Brissett, 31, their starting quarterback ahead of their Week 1 opener against the Bengals, a 16-10 upset in Cincinnati.
New England has since lost four straight, including a heartbreaking 15-10 loss at home to the Dolphins on Sunday.
Brissett, currently in his second stint with the Patriots, has thrown two touchdowns and one interception through five games, completing 58.5 percent of his passes.
The Boston Herald reported. He said on Tuesday that the decision to move the 22-year-old May was “not a natural reaction” following Sunday's loss and that the move was “in progress”.
Maye, the No. 3 pick in this year's NFL Draft, showed flashes in the preseason and got his first glimpse of regular-season action last month, playing in garbage time in a Week 3 loss to the Jets.
Mayo added Wednesday that Maye's development continues to trend upward after a great training camp.
“I wouldn't say the plan was rushed. He was up at the end of training camp and it hasn't slowed down,” the first-year coach said. According to the Boston Herald.
Maye currently has a difficult task ahead of him as he prepares to make his first NFL start. That would be a trip to Houston to take on the 4-1 Texans.
“There's no perfect time to make a change,” Mayo says. via masslive. “Every defense we play has the ability to rush and get after the quarterback.”
Kickoff is set for Sunday at 1 p.m.
