New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said earlier this week that rookie quarterback Drake Maye outperformed Jacoby Brissett in the preseason. However, Mayo also said he views Maye as the team’s No. 2 quarterback following their final preseason game.
The Patriots made a controversial decision to go with the quarterback who was beat out by a rookie in the preseason.
Jacoby Brissett will start against the Bengals
Per a statement by the Patriots, the team named veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett as the team’s starter in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Per the Patriots website, Mayo said multiple factors led to the decision to start Brissett in Week 1.
“I have decided that Jacoby Brissett will be our starting quarterback this season,” Mayo said. “As an organization, we are 100% behind Jacoby…I had an opportunity to talk to Drake [Maye], I had an opportunity to talk to Jacoby separately and also together, and I feel like we are all on the same page from an organizational perspective.”
“There are a lot of factors that led to this choice. The hard part is thinking in the short term and the long term at the same time.”
The New England Patriots had a difficult decision
As previously discussed on GH, the decision to start Maye or Brissett was complicated. The Patriots locker room might feel Maye gives the team the best chance to win this season. But Maye’s lack of starting experience in college and the need to develop his footwork could hinder his development if the Patriots start him too early.
The Patriots have to consider the offensive line and receiver corps around him are subpar. Starting Maye in Week 1 could hurt his confidence.
Drake Maye could start later in the season
Mayo isn’t closing the door on playing Maye this season. He hinted the Patriots could start Maye later in the season if circumstances change.
“It’s important to remember what’s good for the team today may not be good for the team weeks down the line. So, I think the challenge is you want to win every single game now, but also, we’re trying to build something special here in New England,” Mayo said.
Mayo’s decision will be controversial with veterans who don’t plan on staying in New England for the long haul. Those players are being asked to take risks to their physical health to win games.
The Patriots are doing the right thing for their organization, but it will come at the expense of the players temporarily wearing the Patriots colors this season.
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