Patriots coach causes more confusion with comments about Drake Maye's chances of earning starting role

FOXBOROUGH, Mass - All summer long, the New England Patriots coaching staff have claimed that it is a competition between Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye for that starting spot.

While Brissett was considered the starter going into the preseason, they still said that Maye could overtake him if he out performed the veteran.

But they haven't given Maye enough chances with the 'starting offense' to truly prove that he's ready.

"Obviously we'd like to get him out there with the first group if we can and see him operate with the first offense," offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said prior to Thursday's practice.

But when asked why Maye hasn't gotten more opportunities like that, Van Pelt's answer was simple: "Jacoby"

"Right now, he's our starting quarterback," he added. "We're still in evaluation process. We have one more preseason game."

This goes hand in hand with what head coach Jerod Mayo said prior to practice on Wednesday.

"It's still a competition, and Jacoby is still QB1," Mayo explained. "It's a competition amongst all the guys on the field, including the quarterback spot. So, hopefully that makes sense to you guys. But he's still QB1."

Brissett is getting all the main reps with the 'starting' offensive line, while Maye spent all of training camp with the second stringers. And since there is a clear issue with the depth on the line, he hasn't gotten a fair chance.

But that all changed in the second preseason game when Maye took the field for the fourth drive of the game and played with the starting five. He had an impressive showing over almost two quarters and even recorded a rushing touchdown.

"He's taken steps forward every single day," Van Pelt explained. "That's the big thing. There's no regression. He's taken what he's learned from the previous practices and applied it to the next practices. He's been really impressive. The last few weeks, especially.

But Van Pelt had one comment that was very telling.

"Coach (Mayo) said it's an open competition," he told reporters. "Obviously we have one more week to go. I'm sure there's still a chance. But as you go in, there's still a process of how you bring a rookie quarterback along. So, I think that's important to remember, as well."

Is he trying to say that Maye is not ready?

Because Mayo said the day before that the rookie is "100% ready to run a huddle."

These are some very mixed messages, but based on the way Van Pelt spoke, it seems that the plan is for Brissett to start Week 1.

However, an official decision will come on Monday or Tuesday.

So we'll just have to wait and see.