FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England Patriots coach Jerod Mayo stated rookie quarterback Drake Maye “undoubtedly took a step ahead” within the crew’s 14-13 preseason loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday and that the competitors for the beginning job “undoubtedly is not over.”
Maye has been the No. 2 choice via coaching camp behind nine-year veteran Jacoby Brissett, who Mayo has stated is the crew’s most “pro-ready” quarterback. Mayo has left open the chance that Maye may overtake Brissett if he “lights it up” in apply and video games.
After enjoying one collection within the Patriots’ preseason opener final week, Maye performed 4 collection Thursday evening and completed 6-of-11 for 47 yards with a 4-yard speeding landing. The stats would have regarded notably completely different had a third-quarter deep strike — arguably Maye’s finest play due to the best way he manipulated the pocket — wasn’t dropped by vast receiver Javon Baker.
“Stepping up into strain, I believed he did a greater job general with utilizing his legs and actually extending performs,” Mayo stated Friday, including {that a} “level of emphasis” to enhance is working your entire offensive operation sooner.
The Patriots plan to play each Brissett and Maye of their preseason finale in opposition to the Washington Commanders on Aug. 25.
“I believe your entire offense undoubtedly must play and proceed to jell, and that is what we will do,” Mayo stated.
The Patriots signed Brissett to a one-year, $8 million contract as a free agent in March and instantly named him the starter. Brissett has began 48 profession NFL video games, and the Patriots noticed worth in his background in offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt’s system from spending the 2022 season with the Cleveland Browns in addition to his mentorship to a rookie quarterback like Maye.
Brissett performed three collection Thursday evening and completed 3-of-7 for 17 yards, which included a pricey finish zone interception. Within the preseason opener final week, he performed one collection and was 0-for-3.
“Now we have three extra days of coaching camp practices, and it is our job as coaches to guage and the competitors is not over. They’ve to point out not solely themselves and the coaches [but] additionally their teammates,” Mayo stated.