The Patriots have yet to commit to projected starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
Hours after rookie quarterback Drake Maye showed his stuff in the Patriots’ 14-13 preseason loss to the Eagles on Thursday, head coach Jerrod Mayo said the battle for the QB1 spot is “not over yet.”
“When he stepped up under pressure, I thought he did a good job overall of using his feet and extending the play,” Mayo said of Mayo on Friday. According to ESPN:.
Maye, the No. 3 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, led the Patriots on two of their three scoring drives, completing 6 of 11 passes for 47 yards.
He also ran for a touchdown.
The former North Carolina player played in the second and third quarters of the game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
“I think every time I play I get more confident,” May said after the match. From Pro Football Talk“First of all, it’s nerve-wracking to go out and run for the first time. But other than that, it’s been an advantage for me to keep practicing. At the end of the day, I’m fortunate to be able to go out and practice and make the most of my opportunity.”
Brissett, an NFL veteran who began his career with the Patriots in 2016 and re-signed with the team in March, had a disappointing performance against Philadelphia, completing three passes for 17 yards and one interception.
Brissett was labeled a “starter” by offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt during minicamp in June, and Mayo left the possibility open during Thursday’s post-game press conference.
“For me, I always talk about competition. It’s the same at every position. So even if Drake beats Jacoby, he’s earned the role. When he’s ready and if he’s better than Jacoby, he’s going to play and he’s going to start.” The first-year coach said.
Patriots do They have two other quarterbacks on the roster, at least for now, in veteran Bailey Zappe and sixth-round rookie Joe Milton III, who showed flashes of flashes in last week’s preseason opener.
New England will close out the preseason next week against the Commanders before traveling to Cincinnati to open the season against the Bengals on Sept. 8.
