Patriots’ Jerod Mayo Confirms Drake Maye’s Status For Preseason Opener

The Patriots are preparing for their preseason opener this week, and Jerod Mayo confirmed what many fans wanted to hear.

Mayo told reporters Tuesday that Drake Maye will play in the preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium on Thursday. It's expected Jacoby Brissett will start, and the New England head coach believes all four quarterbacks will see action.

"Everyone who is healthy enough to play in the game will play in the game," Mayo told reporters, per the Patriots.

Mayo wouldn't specify how much Maye would play against the Panthers. The 2024 third-overall pick made strides last week in practice and seemed to have a better handle on the offense. There were hiccups over the weekend, but that could be attributed more to the offensive line than the 21-year-old's play.

Fans are waiting to see the talent that made Maye worthy of a top-three selection, and the first preseason game could be where that is displayed. Mayo noted last week that the plan for the Patriots on Thursday is to focus on fundamentals but even showing that could be beneficial to quell fears around Maye's ability to translate at the NFL level.