Coach – Patriots’ QB1 still open with ‘step forward’ from Drake Maye

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said rookie quarterback Drake Maye “definitely took a step forward” in the team’s 14-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday in a preseason game and that the competition for the starting job “is definitely not over.”

May was the second choice during training camp behind nine-year veteran Jacoby Brissett, who May said was the most “pro-ready” quarterback on the team. Mayo left open the possibility that May could overtake Brissett if he “ignites his fire” in practice and games.

After playing one series in the Patriots’ preseason opener last week, May played four series Thursday night and finished with 6-of-11 attempts for 47 yards with a 4-yard rushing goal. The stats would have looked noticeably different had wide receiver Javon Baker not dropped a deep strike in the third quarter — arguably May’s best game because of the way he manipulated the pocket.

“On pressure, I thought he did a better job overall of using his legs and really extending the plays,” Mayo said Friday, adding that the “focus” for improvement is running the entire offensive process faster.

The Patriots plan to play both Priest and May in their preseason finale against the Washington Commanders on Aug. 25.

“I think the whole offense definitely needs to play and continue to improve, and that’s what we’re going to do,” Mayo said.

The Patriots signed Brissett to a one-year, $8 million contract as a free agent in March and immediately named him the starter. Brissett has started 48 games in his NFL career, and the Patriots saw value in his background in offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt’s system from spending the 2022 season with the Cleveland Browns as well as his mentorship of rookie quarterbacks like Maye.

Brissett played three series Thursday night and finished the game with three of seven attempts for 17 yards, including a costly interception in the end zone. In last week’s preseason opener, he played one series and did not make a single attempt on three.

“We have three more days of training in the training camp, and it is our duty as coaches to evaluate the performance, and the competition is not over yet. They have to show not only themselves and their coaches [but] “And their teammates too,” Mayo said.