Might Drake Maye begin beneath heart for the New England Patriots in Week 1 in any case?
Head coach Jerod Mayo is not ruling out the chance. After Thursday’s preseason recreation vs. the Philadelphia Eagles, Mayo told reporters there is “definitely still a competition” between the rookie first-round decide and veteran signal-caller Jacoby Brissett.
That remark got here after Maye outplayed Brissett within the Patriots’ 14-13 loss to Philly. Maye accomplished six of his 11 passes for 47 yards and added a rushing touchdown for his first NFL TD. Brissett went 3 for 7 with 17 yards and an interception on a move supposed for tight finish Austin Hooper ultimately zone.
These numbers ought to give Mayo and Co. one thing to ponder forward of the regular-season opener, however is there actually nonetheless a reliable competitors for the beginning job? Boston Sports activities Journal’s Greg Bedard weighed in on Early Version with our Phil Perry and Tom E. Curran.
“Do I feel it must be a contest? Sure. Do I feel will probably be a contest? I do not know,” Bedard stated. “However till Jerod Mayo and (offensive coordinator) Alex Van Pelt put Drake Maye into apply with the starters, it is lip service. Like, it isn’t a contest till that occurs, and that has not occurred for one single snap your complete summer season. He may maintain speaking about it, however they should do it.”
Host Trenni Casey requested the panel whether or not it believes Maye may get first-team reps over the subsequent couple of weeks.
“I do,” Perry answered. “I feel primary, Drake Maye was adequate. However quantity two, Jacoby Brissett was dangerous sufficient to take a few of these reps away. Once more, meritocracy. You play poorly, different man performs properly, we’re gonna reconfigure issues in apply.”
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Curran identified that Maye — albeit probably the most gifted QBs within the draft — was thought-about a developmental venture, and coaches could have already determined how they are going to proceed with the No. 3 total decide.
“It is also the hangover of, these are the issues we stated within the offseason. We referred to as him a venture. We stated he was developmental,” Curran stated. “(Sports activities Illustrated’s) Albert Breer stood earlier this week and talked about it and stated in speaking to folks when he bought right here, Alex Van Pelt and (vice chairman of participant personnel) Eliot Wolf and the remainder of the workers checked out him and stated, ‘Whoa, this can be a actual huge downside that we’ve got to work on right here.’ And I belief Albert’s reporting.
“So, they’ve already determined the route that they are going to be taking with him. And I feel, hey, Alex Van Pelt, in case you’ve accomplished this a lot to repair him this a lot, reap the advantages.”
If there’s a actual QB competitors, the Patriots’ preseason finale may settle it. New England will return to motion Sunday, Aug. 25 towards the Washington Commanders at 8 p.m. ET.
You’ll be able to watch the complete Early Version phase under or on YouTube:
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