Patriots' Jacoby Brissett addresses expected QB competition update

First-year New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo confirmed expected news on Tuesday when he told reporters that veteran Jacoby Brissett "is the starting quarterback at this point" in the early days of training camp ahead of rookie Drake Maye.

Brissett understands he has plenty left to prove in order to start over Maye when New England opens the regular season at the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 8.

"Obviously, that’s the ultimate goal," Brissett said about earning the Week 1 QB1 gig, per Jason Ounpraseuth of NESN. "Obviously, you don’t take things like that lightly. I understand this league, and I understand how every day is a competition, and I look forward to that and I feed off that. Looking to go out there and prove it every day."

Brissett reportedly was New England's best quarterback throughout springtime workouts even though Maye showed improvements in his footwork and other aspects of his game by the time mandatory minicamp wrapped up. While New England made Maye the third overall pick of this year's draft, individuals within the organization, such as Mayo, have repeatedly indicated the 21-year-old won't face a live defense in a meaningful game until it's determined he's ready for such an assignment.

Mayo was sure on Tuesday to leave the door open for Maye to win the starting job between now and the last snap of New England's final preseason game, a matchup at the Washington Commanders on Aug. 25. Brissett acknowledged he's still in a "competition" even if he's currently penciled in atop the depth chart.

"There’s no scholarships anymore," Brissett added. "It’s your job. That’s what makes it so fun. You get to go out there and compete every day. You understand that somebody else is trying to take your job, and I learned that my rookie year with the guys I had in my room. That’s definitely something I’ve carried throughout my career so far, and that doesn’t change."

As of Tuesday afternoon, FanDuel Sportsbook listed Brissett as the overwhelming betting favorite at -900 odds to start over Maye (+520) against Cincinnati. The Patriots' bye doesn't come until Week 14, so Maye seemingly could spend the majority of his rookie campaign developing as an unused backup unless Brissett stumbles or suffers an injury during the fall.