Insider shares why Patriots haven't yet named Drake Maye their starting QB

After first-year New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo acknowledged on Monday that he doesn't yet "know" if he'll name rookie Drake Maye or veteran Jacoby Brissett his Week 1 starting quarterback, many assumed it's a matter of when and not if Maye will get the nod.

Keeping Brissett atop the depth chart through at least a portion of the fall has been Mayo's plan since the start of springtime workouts, but Patriots/NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated noted on Monday that "two things could shake that up" by next week.

"One, of course, would be Maye showing he’s not just the best option but prepared to deal with being a week-in, week-out starting quarterback without the rigors of the season messing with his development," Breer explained. "There’s a mental component to that and a mechanical component, too."

The Patriots knew when they made Maye the third overall pick of this year's draft that he was a project for the future. While he seemingly is now ahead of schedule, it shouldn't be forgotten that his previous training-camp struggles caused some to wonder as recently as last Thursday morning if the 21-year-old was already "a bust."

It's also worth mentioning that New England trading star pass-rusher Matthew Judon to the Atlanta Falcons for a 2025 third-round draft pick last week offered a harsh reminder about the Patriots' current situation. As of Tuesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had New England at +160 betting odds to win over 5.5 games this season.

Mayo playing Maye over Brissett at the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 8 likely wouldn't drastically alter such forecasts.

"Two would be if Brissett, who’s beloved by teammates and the perfect guy to help a younger quarterback, shows he can’t move the offense more effectively, and with better tempo, than he has," Breer continued. "He made a brutal decision in the red zone against the Philadelphia Eagles (in last Thursday's exhibition game), and the offense isn’t running as smoothly as anyone would like behind either quarterback."

Brissett seemingly could put this topic to bed by producing even a solid performance in this coming Sunday's preseason finale at the Washington Commanders. If he's outplayed by Maye for the second straight contest, however, Mayo may have to go with the first-year pro for the Cincinnati matchup if only to bolster a locker room that knows outsiders think the Patriots are "tanking" with 2025 and/or 2026 in mind.