The New England Patriots named Jacoby Brissett the starting quarterback for their regular season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Brissett beat out rookie first-round pick Drake Maye for the job, despite head coach Jerod Mayo saying the No. 3 overall pick “outplayed” Brissett in camp.
Read more: Patriots HC Jerod Mayo Says Drake Maye Has ‘Outplayed’ Jacoby Brissett in Starting QB Battle
Brissett suffered a shoulder injury in the Pats’ third and final preseason game, however, Mayo said he would have been able to return to the game if needed. Clearly, the injury wasn’t that serious, as Brissett will now be starting for the Patriots in Week 1.
“We have decided, or I have decided, that Jacoby Brissett will be our starting quarterback this season,” Mayo said to reporters Thursday. “In saying that, as an organization, we are 100 percent behind Jacoby. There is no ‘You got a guy right here, you got a guy right there.’ We’re 100 percent behind Jacoby.”
Mayo also declined to get into hypotheticals about when Maye could make his NFL debut.
“I don’t want to get into hypotheticals,” Mayo said. “We can’t go into the season saying ‘He’s going to go X amount of weeks.’ Look — as long as Jacoby is going out there performing the way we all have confidence in him doing, he’ll be our quarterback this season.”
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 29: Drake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots looks on during the New England Patriots OTA Offseason Workout on May 29, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Maye opened up about losing the competition.
Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Maye looked great in this year’s preseason, completing 21-of-34 passes for 192 yards and a touchdown. He also had a rushing touchdown. As for Brissett, he went 5-for-14 for 36 yards and an interception.
While Maye wasn’t named the official starter, he doesn’t have any regrets about the way he went about his first NFL camp.
“I feel like I left it all out there. I have no regrets going back, and in the end that’s how it worked out,” Maye said to reporters. “Like I said, I’m going to keep the right mindset and I know this is the NFL. Shoot, it ain’t like anybody is just going out there and getting even second-team as a quarterback. Just be the blessed person I am and thank God for his blessings.”
Maye is not disappointed, but will be preparing every week as if he’s the starter.
“I wouldn’t say disappointed, obviously I want to play,” Maye said. “That’s the competitive edge in me. At the same time, I understand the situation. Jacoby has been in the offense and gotten the reps with ones all camp. So, I can’t say I’m disappointed but at the same time I want to be playing.”
He continued, “I’m still one play away, so just have to be ready for all circumstances and I’m here to help Jacoby and keep the vibes in the quarterback room up because nothing is going to change. I’m still rooting for him and cheering for him.”
Maye joins J.J. McCarthy (injured) and Michael Penix Jr. (backup) as the only first-round rookie quarterbacks not starting in Week 1. Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears), Jayden Daniels (Washington Commanders), and Bo Nix (Denver Broncos) are all starting for their respective teams in Week 1.
