FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — First-year New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo stated veteran Jacoby Brissett is the group’s beginning quarterback getting into coaching camp as a result of he is probably the most “professional prepared,” however Mayo left the door open that rookie Drake Maye might overtake him.
“If he comes out right here and lights it up, it completely might occur,” Mayo stated in reference to Maye, the No. 3 general choose within the NFL draft. “However popping out of the spring, I do not assume there’s any doubt — Jacoby is the beginning quarterback at this cut-off date.”
Mayo repeated a number of instances that he’s preaching competitors to his gamers in any respect positions, together with quarterback, the place the group has Brissett, Maye, third-year participant Bailey Zappe and 2024 sixth-round choose Joe Milton III.
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The Patriots signed Brissett, getting into his ninth NFL season, to a one-year, $8 million deal within the offseason whereas realizing they might seemingly choose a quarterback within the draft. The technique, partially, was to have an skilled signal-caller who might maintain the group aggressive whereas not speeding a rookie’s growth.
Brissett has began 48 profession NFL video games and in addition performed within the offensive system being carried out by first-year offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt throughout the 2022 season with the Cleveland Browns.
“I believe it is clear that Jacoby is probably the most pro-ready man we have now,” Mayo stated upfront of the group’s first official observe of coaching camp Wednesday.
Brissett, who was the primary participant to reply questions from reporters on the day gamers reported for coaching camp, plans to do every little thing he can to carry on to the job.
“Clearly that is the finally objective and I do not take issues like that frivolously. However I perceive this league and I perceive how daily is a problem. It takes competitors and I stay up for that and feed off that. I am trying to go on the market and show it daily,” he stated.
Brissett and Maye have shortly developed a rapport — that they had beforehand met by way of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell, a mutual good friend — and Brissett was requested what recommendation he may give Maye getting into his first coaching camp.
“There is no scholarships anymore. It is your job and that is what makes it so enjoyable — you get to go on the market and compete daily and also you perceive that any person else is attempting to take your job,” he stated.
Mayo added that each scenario with a rookie quarterback has distinctive dynamics. He identified how Inexperienced Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love, a 2020 first-round choose, sat behind Aaron Rodgers for 3 seasons earlier than rising as one of many NFL’s up-and-coming stars.
“There have additionally been conditions the place a man is available in proper now and he balls out,” Mayo stated, maybe referencing the Houston Texans’ C.J. Stroud, the No. 2 general choose of the 2023 draft who was named AP Offensive Rookie of the 12 months. “We’ll see what occurs once we get out on the sphere.”
The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Maye has already appeared to be making regular strides. He opened spring camps taking repetitions behind Brissett and Zappe, however finally elevated to No. 2 and capped off necessary minicamp with a landing move to rookie receiver Ja’Lynn Polk on a 5-yard fade.
Mayo stated different concerns on the roster — such because the offensive line and ability place gamers — would not be the first consideration in Maye finally turning into No. 1.
“It is not about everybody else. It is ‘Does this man go on the market and carry out higher than Jacoby?’ Irrespective of who we’re speaking about,” he remarked.
Particular to Maye, he stated: “The objective for Drake is simply to get higher every day. It is not a straight line as much as the highest. There will likely be ups and downs. If he comes out right here and takes full benefit, and lights it up, he might be the Day 1 quarterback.”
