How Patriots’ Jerod Mayo Feels About Rookie QBs (Not Drake Maye) Performing

Jerod Mayo knows there are examples of rookie quarterbacks having success around the league. The New England Patriots first-year head coach also knows there are examples to the contrary.

And the latter is what prompted Mayo to push back on a growing narrative regarding younger quarterbacks.

“We have conversations about that, but I think you can go the other way with those examples,” Mayo told reporters at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday, per a team-provided transcript. “It’s easy to cherry pick a guy who just completed 90% of the passes and say, ‘How do you feel about that?'”

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Mayo’s reference was to Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, who had a historic primetime debut against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night. Daniels totaled more touchdowns (three) than incompletions (two) and set an NFL record for completion percentage (91.3%) in a game.

Daniels’ production created some Patriots-related storylines given he was drafted one pick before New England selected Drake Maye.

But Daniels might be an outlier. Chicago Bears’ top pick Caleb Williams and second-year quarterbacks like Indianapolis Colts’ Anthony Richardson and Tennessee Titans’ Will Levis have not had the same success. They’ve each turned the ball over a ton.

“There’s also the other end of the spectrum where a guy, I mean, they’re not doing anything, whether it’s on IR (injured reserve) or they’re having struggles,” Mayo said. “So, it’s on an individual basis.”

Mayo expressed confidence in what he’s seen from Maye. The third overall pick is getting 30% of first-team practice reps, and the Patriots are confident with Maye one snap away.

“I will say that he’s done a good job staying locked in and preparing as if he is a starter, which I tell all the players to do that,” Mayo said.

It feels like that will come soon enough.