Patriots OC suggests he prefers veteran QB Jacoby Brissett over rookie Drake Maye

Although rookie Drake Maye is gaining steam in the New England Patriots quarterback competition, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt is pumping the brakes on the hype.

Per Darren Hartwell of NBC Sports Boston, when asked Thursday what's preventing him from giving Maye more reps with the first-team offense, Van Pelt said, "Jacoby [Brissett]. Right now, he's our starting quarterback."

"I'm sure there's a chance [Maye could become the starter], but as you go in, there's still a process of how you bring a rookie quarterback along," Van Pelt added. "So, I think that's important to remember as well."

This offseason, the Patriots signed Brissett — who's entering his ninth season — to a one-year, $8M deal to ensure No. 3 overall pick Maye didn't need to play immediately.

However, it's unclear if Brissett gives the Patriots their best chance to win in 2024. Through two preseason games, he has completed 3-of-10 passes for 17 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception.

Maye, meanwhile, has steadily improved in training camp and preseason. In his second game against the Philadelphia Eagles, the North Carolina product completed 6-of-11 passes for 47 yards and rushed for a touchdown.

In a Wednesday news conference , Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said he thinks 21-year-old Maye is "ready to run a huddle."

Van Pelt may want to start Brissett to avoid rushing Maye's development, which is understandable. A QB doesn't have to play during his rookie season to thrive. Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes sat behind Alex Smith for one season before taking the reins in 2018.

Unlike Kansas City, the Patriots are entering a reboot after going 4-13 last season, and they must find out whether they can continue to build around Maye.

Mayo indicated he plans to announce a starting QB after the Patriots' preseason finale against the Washington Commanders on Sunday. Even if Van Pelt disagrees, rolling with Maye wouldn't be a terrible idea.