FOXBORO — The New England Patriots are not making any changes at quarterback and will continue to start Jacoby Brissett, as confirmed by head coach Jerod Mayo.
“Jacoby is our quarterback until I say he’s not,” Mayo stated during a video conference with reporters on Friday morning. “He demonstrated a lot of toughness and grit despite the protective breakdowns we faced. As a team and a coaching staff, we need to improve.”
In their recent 24-3 loss to the Jets, Brissett faced relentless pressure, resulting in five sacks and limited to just 98 passing yards. This has been a persistent issue for the Patriots, particularly with the offensive line’s inability to protect their quarterback. With the game out of reach late in the fourth quarter, Mayo brought in rookie Drake Maye to finish the game.
Maye moved the Patriots into the red zone but ended the game with a sack on his final play. During his brief appearance, he was sacked twice and hit three times while taking 16 snaps.
After reviewing game footage and discussing with his coaching staff, Mayo confirmed that Brissett will retain the starting role. Mayo also noted that Maye has been taking around 30 percent of the snaps with the first-team offense in practice, which is notably high for a backup.
“For now, it’s status quo,” Mayo said regarding the quarterback situation. “Jacoby will remain our starter, and we need to support him. The entire offensive unit must perform better. We’re focused on getting to 2-2 right now. Everything is always under evaluation, but Jacoby is still our starting quarterback until further notice.”
Reflecting on Maye’s debut, which saw him complete four of eight passes for 22 yards and scramble for an additional 12 yards, Mayo expressed optimism. Maye’s first pass almost resulted in an interception, but he later connected with DeMario Douglas for a key 15-yard gain, which positioned the Patriots at the Jets’ 7-yard line.
Mayo remarked on Maye’s athleticism and playmaking ability during a challenging situation as a quarterback coming off the bench. “He handled himself well and tried to put together a drive. It’s something to build on,” he said.
Despite Maye’s valuable experience, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt believes the best course for his development is to continue observing from the sideline. “I still think it’s best for him to learn by watching. There’s still a lot for him to grasp,” Van Pelt said on Friday.