When Jerod Mayo Expects Patriots Will Determine Starting QB

Who will begin the season as the starting quarterback of the New England Patriots? First-year head coach Jerod Mayo expects to have that answer in short order.

“I would say by Monday night we should know who the quarterback is,” Mayo told reporters at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday, per a team-provided video.

The Patriots have their preseason finale against the Washington Commanders on Sunday night. Mayo said the Patriots will “crank through the film” in the hours after the contest before they make their determination.

“I think Monday or Monday/Tuesday we probably need to know who it is,” Mayo said.

He concluded with a laugh: “That doesn’t mean I’ll tell you (media) on Monday or Tuesday.”

Mayo on Wednesday again referred to Jacoby Brissett as QB1. But Mayo also expressed the quarterback competition between Brissett and rookie Drake Maye remains open.

It felt like Mayo was the one to open the door back up after it appeared to be closed in Brissett’s favor. After all, Brissett was labeled QB1 entering training camp and he spent each practice behind the starting offensive line leading up to New England’s second preseason game.

Maye has since seen competitive snaps behind a mixture of first- and second-stringers, according to multiple reports.

“I would say you come into camp and you want to have an idea on how it’s going,” Mayo said. “It’s still a competition and Jacoby is still QB1. It’s a competition among all the guys on the field, including the quarterback spot. Hopefully that kind of makes sense to you guys, but he’s (Brissett) still QB1.”

Mayo continues to pump up Maye, especially since the rookie’s performance against the Philadelphia Eagles last week. Mayo said he believes Maye is 100% ready to lead the huddle if he’s thrown into the starting role earlier than some expected.

“Anyone can see the confidence growing in Drake,” Mayo said. “Anyone can see Jacoby go out here, and as a total body of work, do a good job. So, we’ll see how it goes.”

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Mayo said he, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, de facto general manager Eliot Wolf and offensive assistants will collaborate to make the decision. Mayo believes the group has been on the same page throughout the spring and summer.

“Our goal is to put the best team we can put out there,” Mayo said.

When it comes to having the final say on personnel decisions, Mayo said it will be Wolf’s job. Mayo believes the group will be collaborative in those decisions, too.

The Patriots need to trim their roster to 53 players by Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.