Jerod Mayo’s Side-Step On Jacoby Brissett Question Was Telling

Jerod Mayo has been unapologetically honest about many things since taking over as Patriots head coach. Almost to a fault.

But when it comes to New England’s most important position, the first-year head coach hasn’t been as straightforward.

Mayo was wishy-washy with his remarks about the Patriots’ quarterbacks leading up to the announcement of Jacoby Brissett as the starter. The decision was widely viewed as the correct one, but also temporary. New England didn’t draft Drake Maye third overall this year to sit on the bench, so it’s only a matter of time before the 22-year-old takes over behind center.

With this in mind, Mayo on Monday was asked about a potential “misconception” surrounding Brissett, who many believe was brought in primarily to be a “placeholder” and a “mentor” to Maye. But even with significant writing on the walls of One Patriot Place, Mayo danced around the question a bit.

“He is a mentor, I would say, which is reflected in the captain’s voting,” Mayo told reporters, per a team-provided transcript. “I think he’s a mentor to the entire offensive side of the ball. He’s familiar with the offense. At the same time, he knew he was in a competition and still remained steady, which is something you definitely appreciate from your quarterback position.”

Of course, it wouldn’t have been the best look for the Patriots if Mayo bluntly called Brissett a stopgap signal-caller. But while the coach didn’t provide such a blunt remark, he might have offered a Freudian slip. Mayo initially forgetting to list Brissett — the starting quarterback entering his ninth NFL season — among the rest of the Patriots captains made it seem as though New England simply is biding time with the 31-year-old until it can toss the keys to the kid.

Brissett isn’t “the guy” in Foxboro, Mass. — he’s the guy right now. At some point, Mayo will have to acknowledge it.