New England Patriots rookie Drake Maye will get snaps with the starters in training camp even though Jacoby Brissett is set to lead the franchise in Week 1.
Selected with the No. 3 pick by the Patriots - who turned down multiple trade offers - in the 2024 NFL Draft , Maye is in line to be the long-term replacement for Mac Jones at quarterback. New England took Maye one slot after the Washington Commanders drafted fellow quarterback Jayden Daniels second overall, ensuring the former North Carolina signal-caller was the third successive quarterback off the board.
However, throughout the offseason, Pats first-year head coach Jerod Mayo has made it clear that Brissett is New England’s current starting quarterback. Even so, Mayo confirmed his rookie will get an opportunity to take snaps with the starters at some point during training camp .
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“[I]t’s the second week of training camp,” Mayo told reporters on Thursday. “We have a game here a week from now. He’ll have an opportunity to go out there and participate with, if you want to call them ‘The Ones,’ but we mix and match.”
Reports from Patriots camp have noted Maye has struggled in training camp as he gets to grips with the pros. Regardless, Mayo still thinks he likes the way the quarterback has handled the different elements and challenges that training camp brings.
“I would say all the rookies are battling through things,” Mayo said. “It’s a different scheme. It’s a different state. There’s just so much change for these guys. But what you want to see as those guys go through adversity, you want to see them handle it the right way.
“You don’t want to see the explosions on the sideline. You don’t want to see any of that. It’s all about the next page and turning the page, and that’s what I appreciate.”
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Mayo praised Maye’s toughness, adding: “I got this feeling when we met with Drake in Carolina. Just his overall mental toughness and competitiveness, and he understands that it’s not always going to be clean. I will say this, he’s handled it very well. I know that the players really enjoy working with him, and he’s a competitor.”
Maye was widely considered the second-best quarterback prospect in the class behind Caleb Williams entering his final college season, where inconsistent performances for the Tar Heels allowed Daniels to enter the picture.
But his talent remained attractive, with New England reportedly rejecting offers from the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants for the third overall pick as both franchises looked to take Maye. However, the AFC East franchise turned their card in immediately, suggesting they hold faith in Maye’s future in the NFL .
Maye is expected to make his preseason debut when the Patriots host the Carolina Panthers on Thursday, August 8.
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