Patriots HC spills the beans on where the quarterback competition is at this point

The quarterback position in New England was a disaster last season. So the Patriots needed to make some major moves during the offseason.

And drafting former University of North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye was certainly a move in the right direction. But the team also brought in veteran Jacoby Brissett to serve as a mentor.

During the spring, the biggest question was who was going to start when the season rolled around. And on Tuesday, right before the start of training camp. Mayo provided a crucial update.

“Coming out of the spring I don’t think there is any doubt: Jacoby is the starting quarterback at this point-in-time," Mayo told reporters. "It's about competition. So when we get out on the field this summer with the pads on, we'll see how it all plays out.

"But, coming out of the spring, I think it’s clear Jacoby (Brissett) is the most pro-ready guy we have.”

However, Mayo isn't ruling out the possibility that Maye could earn that starting spot.

“If he comes out here and lights it up, and that goes back to the quality of reps, he could absolutely start,” the head coach said.

And he made it clear that that's the case for each and every player on the roster.

The Patriots currently have four quarterbacks on the roster. Along with Brissett and Maye, they have Joe Milton, who the Patriots drafted in the sixth round, along with Bailey Zappe, who is going into his third season. And Mayo was also asked if the plan is to carry all four quarterbacks.

"I mean, it's always a conversation about, do we move this person here? Do we move this person there? We're always going to take the mindset of wer're going to do what's best for the organization and we're going to try and get those guys to walk in here and get reps so they can be. I don't know if that means four or three honestly. Right now, we have four quarterbacks and those guys will go out there and practice today."

All these answers could mean the Patriots are prepared for Maye to have a redshirt rookie season, with him learning behind Brissett. But the players will get back on the field starting this week, and if he throws the way everyone wants him to, that might mean he's in sooner than expected.