At the onset of training camp, Jacoby Brissett resided atop the Patriots’ quarterback depth chart. That came as little surprise, considering the attention being placed on developing No. 3 pick Drake Maye at a slow pace. 
Head coach Jerod Mayo made it clear, however, that the door remained open for the latter to earn the Week 1 nod with a strong showing in camp and the preseason. With two of the team’s three exhibition contests in the books, Maye has done enough to at least keep himself in consideration. Mayo’s most recent comments on the matter confirm no decision on a starting passer has been made yet.
“We have three more days of training camp practices, and it’s our job as coaches to evaluate and the competition isn’t over,” the first-year head coach said (via ESPN’s Mike Reiss). “They have to show not only themselves and the coaches [but] also their teammates.”
Maye only played one series in Week 1 of the preseason, but that total quadrupled last night against the Eagles. The North Carolina alum completed six of 11 pass attempts for 47 yards and scored a rushing touchdown. That marked a step forward from his limited production (and opportunities) last week, and Brissett has not filled the statsheet when on the field so far. The 31-year-old has gone a combined 3-for-10 for 17 scoreless yards and one interception in preseason action.
Brissett signed a one-year, $8MM pact in free agency to return to the Patriots and serve as a bridge starter. He has 48 starts to his name split across time with the Colts, Browns and Dolphins along with his previous New England stint. After the team turned down considerable interest for the third overall pick and used it on Maye, though, it was clear he represented the passer of the future – and potentially present – pending his ability to acclimate to the NFL level this offseason.
Mayo added that both signal-callers will play on August 25, New England’s preseason finale. A final decision will no doubt only be made after that contest, with Brissett and Maye’s respective showings being taken into consideration. As Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and (in all likelihood) Bo Nix prepare for Week 1 starting gigs as first-round rookies, Maye could soon join them in that respect. It will be interesting to see how Brissett performs in the final practices of training camp and the upcoming exhibition game as he attempts to delay Maye’s debut.
Pats need a top 3 pick again next year, and unless there are studs at other positions, should go OL with the first at least 2 picks (maybe even first 3). Let’s set that line up for success for the next 4 years!