New England Patriots 'prepared to play' Jacoby Brissett over Drake Maye to start season

The New England Patriots don’t want to rush Drake Maye onto the field if they don’t have to, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Maye was the No. 3 overall pick out of North Carolina but is currently behind veteran Jacoby Brissett. The team acknowledged that they’ll let Maye loose when he’s ready to go but they’re prepared to develop him first.

But at this point, it’s only a matter of time before Maye hits the field as QB1 for the Patriots.

“Let’s go to New England, you got Drake Maye, the number three overall pick ready to go,” Fowler said on SportsCenter. “I talked to a source of the team that said ‘Look, we’re not going to hold Drake Maye back when he’s ready to play, but we do recognize that he needs some work. This is somebody who needs to get acclimated to the program that could take some time.’ 

“So they’re going to be prepared to play Jacoby Brissett, the veteran who will at least start the season. Certainly they’re gonna let it all play out. But I would say right now early, early, Brissett will be the favorite.”

Brissett, who returned to the Patriots this offseason, acknowledged competition with Maye. But he’s looking forward to it and it’ll benefit both.

“That’s all out of my control, so I don’t really worry about that,” Brissett said, per Mike Reiss of ESPN. “I’m excited to have him on the team and the other guys as well that we drafted and picked up. I think it’s gonna be good. Competition brings out the best in all of us, so I’m excited about that part.”

Brissett brings a lot of experience and is expected to be a mentor to Maye. But the veteran said it’s not that simple.

“Those things just happen because it’s not necessarily for just one specific player. It’s for the whole team,” Brissett said. “I’m seeking mentorship as well. So it’s an ongoing process. It’s just being a good teammate. I think that’s where it starts, and then everything else plays off of that.”

During his introductory press conference, Maye talked about being in the quarterback room with Brissett.

“He’s been so many different places, so many different offenses,” Maye said. “I think he’s been in this offense before with Coach [Alex] Van Pelt, and I’m just looking forward to getting to learn from him. I know he’s an old guy, old vet, and he can still play. So, I’m looking forward to contributing in any way, I’m looking forward to getting to see him, and I know he’s the man.”