Jerod Mayo keeps it real about New England Patriots' quarterback competition on local radio show

Jerod Mayo didn't hold back when talking about the quarterback competition between Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye.

The two are in a very tight battle to be named the starting quarterback for the 2024 season. But in terms of play, there has been a clear winner.

"What I will say this is a true competition and I would say at this current point, Drake has outplayed Jacoby," Mayo said on WEEI.

However, there are a lot of factors that the New England Patriots head coach is taking into account.

"Now in saying that, we have to take in the full body of work, going all the way back to the spring and beginning of training camp. And we'll see where we end up" Mayo added. "But those are the conversations that will happen here over the next couple of days."

Mayo was asked to clarify these comments after his apperance on the radio show, and provided some context on where Maye has outshined Brissett.

"I would say it starts in practice and also in the game where Drake has played better," he explained.

Mayo said that the team expects to have a decision on the starter on Monday or Tuesday night. But there might be one new factor that can influence things.

Brissett suffered a shoulder injury in his first and only drive of the game against the Washington Commanders.

"We got in at 4 o'clock in the morning; Jacoby may come in here today and say his shoulder is no good. So I'm not going to get too far down the road on if Jacoby could play or couldn't play," Mayo said.

The head coach stated in his postgame interview on Sunday night that Brissett would have been able to continue if needed and the veteran quarterback said he was good on the sidelines afterwards.

But it will depend on how he feels the day after.

In recent weeks, Mayo has changed his tone regarding the quarterback situation. It went from absolutely no-doubt that Brissett would be the starter to a tight competition.

But this is the first time he has publicly said that Maye has outplayed the veteran.

And while people want to see the rookie jump right in with the team in the season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday's final preseason game showed one apparent weakness: the offense line.

If they can't protect Maye, there is a risk of injury. And that's the last thing this team needs right now.

This is the top storyline heading into the 2024 season, so A to Z Sports will have updates all throughout the next few weeks.