Patriots QB Competition Reveals Alarming Disconnect Between Coaches

A developing issue seems to be unfolding in New England as the Patriots head into the final stretch of their preseason, and it’s centered around one of the most critical decisions a team can face: who will be the team's starting quarterback?

Head coach Jerod Mayo and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt appear to be at odds over how to handle the quarterback competition between veteran Jacoby Brissett and rookie first-round pick Drake Maye.

Throughout training camp, the Patriots were clear—Brissett was QB1, and Maye, the No. 3 overall pick, would begin the season as a backup to continue developing for the future.

That all changed when Mayo hinted that Maye’s progression had opened the door for him to potentially start in Week 1, despite Brissett being far more experienced and a solid bridge option.

“We always have to be flexible in regards to the plan," Mayo said. "Right now, it’s all going the right way, right direction, and hopefully he [Maye] continues to get better.”

Van Pelt wasn’t exactly on board with that idea. When asked about the competition, he emphasized the importance of following the process with a young quarterback.

"Coach said there is an open competition... But I think there’s still a process about how you bring a rookie quarterback along," Van Pelt said , indicating a preference for Brissett.

Brissett’s preseason struggles—completing just 3-of-10 passes with two interceptions—haven’t helped his case, but Van Pelt’s previous experience working with him in Cleveland undoubtedly provides some security for the offensive coordinator. That, and the fact Brissett has made 48 career starts.

Van Pelt, who didn’t come to New England to see the offense falter, seems to believe Brissett offers the best chance for stability, and for a man whose sole job is to find ways to score points, that matters. That said, Mayo gets to make the final call on who the team's starting signal caller will be, and the disconnect between him and Van Pelt could spell trouble as the regular season looms or if there were any offensive struggles out of the gate.

Either way, the Patriots are a team in transition, and it's Mayo's first season as a head coach, so the two will need to find common ground and get on the same page sooner rather than later.

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