NFL Insider Shares Patriots Intel After Jerod Mayo’s Blunt Remark

Jerod Mayo was very forthcoming Monday when he offered his latest assessment of the Patriots' quarterback situation.

New England's head coach acknowledged Drake Maye "outplayed" Jacoby Brissett in the preseason, which featured back-to-back impressive showings from the rookie. Maye closed out his first exhibition slate with a very strong performance Sunday in Washington D.C., where Brissett sustained a shoulder injury early in the contest.

If the quarterback battle in Foxboro, Mass., is a "true competition" like Mayo insists it is, Maye should be in consideration for the starting job right out of the gate. But according to veteran NFL insider Josina Anderson, there's still a good chance the 21-year-old is holding a clipboard Sept. 8 in Cincinnati.

"I'm told even with the rising optimism surrounding #Patriots rookie first-round QB Drake Maye, there are some sentiments within the building that it still may be best to have veteran QB Jacoby Brissett start the season given his experience, at this time, per source," Anderson posted to X on Monday. "No official determination has been made as of yet though."

Experience hardly is the only reason why it would make sense for the Patriots to roll with Brissett. New England potentially could stunt Maye's growth tasking him to lead an offense that's bereft of both elite playmakers and a strong offensive line. It wouldn't be hard to argue that starting Maye right away would be setting him up to fail.

Nonetheless, it sounds like Mayo and company still are weighing their options. And in the event Maye is handed the keys, the 2024 first-rounder believes he will be ready to go.