Jerod Mayo leaves door open for rookie QB Drake Maye as a starter

Jacoby Brissett is the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots, but coach Jerod Mayo didn’t completely slam the door on the possibility of rookie Drake Maye winning the starting job.

“If he comes out here and lights it up … it could absolutely happen,” Maye said when addressing media members on Tuesday, via the Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan.

The Patriots have expressed patience throughout the offseason when it comes to their developmental plan with Maye. They didn’t use the No. 3 overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft on him just to see the situation implode like it did under the previous regime with Mac Jones.

There are still questions along the offensive front for the team as a whole, particularly at the left tackle position. The team isn’t quite where they want to be at the skilled positions, either.

They could use Brissett as the veteran bridge option at quarterback, while slowly developing Maye behind the scenes to take the reins at some point. The Patriots have one of the hardest schedules in the NFL, and they aren’t close to playoff contention.

There’s no rush to put Maye on the field until he’s ready.