Patriots QB Change? Jerod Mayo Keeps Door Open On Possibility

It only took three games for the quarterback debate to truly begin and New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo didn’t put a stop to it.

A quarterback change came into question following New England’s lopsided 24-3 loss to the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Thursday night. The Patriots offense floundered under starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who completed just 12-for-18 passes for 98 yards, and rookie Drake Maye surprisingly made his NFL debut in garbage time.

So, will Mayo try to spark New England’s lackluster offense by giving the reins to Maye? Mayo certainly didn’t rule it out.

“I don’t know,” Mayo told reporters, per WBZ. “Look, we talk about every single week you’re competing for a job. So, we’ll get together as a coaching staff and see where it goes.”

The New England Patriots offense certainly is limited with Brissett under center. The Patriots have reached the end zone just three times in three games.

But the veteran signal-caller, who took a beating yet again with the Jets sacking him five times and recording many more hits, believed the starting job is still his.

“Of course,” Brissett told reporters, per team-provided video. “I don’t make personnel decisions. My job is to go out there and get ready to play, put good football on tape and put my best foot forward.”

Maye looked like a rookie in his limited playing time against the Jets but there’s no doubt the Patriots have a higher upside with him in the pocket. Maye’s first pass almost went for an interception but he settled down to complete 4-for-8 passes for 22 yards and also had two rushes for 12 yards.

New England’s porous offensive line might have the Patriots continue to hold back Maye — it’s really hard to argue with that decision given the way that unit has played — but he feels like he can do the job whenever it becomes his time.

“Yeah, I think what I’m doing week in, week out be ready when my number’s called, go out there and try to make some plays,” Maye told reporters, per NBC Sports Boston. “So in the meantime, I’ll be preparing like I’m the starter and the same time, I’ve been there for Jacoby. He battled tonight.”