Jerod Mayo lastly named the Patriots’ beginning quarterback after an offseason of blended messages.
The New England head coach informed reporters Thursday that Jacoby Brissett would be the starter Week 1. Mayo expressed confidence within the veteran signal-caller, although his alternative of phrases did elevate some questions.
Mayo’s announcement got here someday after he informed reporters the choice was made however wouldn’t be revealed publicly — the information was leaked Thursday simply earlier than Mayo’s information convention. It was a wierd approach to go in regards to the course of because it appeared like Brissett was the presumed starter.
Let’s check out a timeline of Mayo’s feedback in regards to the quarterback scenario between Brissett and Drake Maye beginning with coaching camp.
Story continues beneath commercial
July 23: I imply, popping out of the spring I do not suppose there’s any doubt that Jacoby (Brissett) is the beginning quarterback at this time limit. We are able to take a look at these different quarterbacks on the roster, as a result of on the similar time, it is about competitors. Once we get out on the sphere this summer season, with the pads on, we’ll see the way it all performs out. I simply suppose it is clear that Jacoby is essentially the most pro-ready man now we have. He is performed lots of soccer.
On Maye: The purpose for Drake is to simply get higher every day. It is not a straight line as much as the highest. There will probably be ups and downs, however when you look left to proper you simply hope (for regular enchancment). If he comes out right here and takes full benefit and lights it up, he may very well be the Day 1 quarterback. However like I mentioned, popping out of the spring it is Jacoby.
It goes again to the identical phrase, and it is ‘competitors.’ It is not about everybody else. It is about, ‘Does this man go on the market and carry out higher than Jacoby?’ That is the best way I see it.
July 30: I believe at that time, you must go together with NFL expertise. You must go together with Jacoby in that occasion.
Story continues beneath commercial
Out right here on the sphere, you possibly can script all the pieces. You will have a managed surroundings, and once I speak about pro-ready, it is the off-schedule performs. It is with the ability to pull the nostril up on the airplane because it’s taking place. These are the issues that I take into consideration once I say, ‘pro-ready.’ It is the best way they method the sport, and clearly Jacoby has expertise, however Drake is approaching the sport the proper approach. We’ll must see.
That was how issues have been with the Patriots: Brissett was the No. 1 and Maye was behind him. Nevertheless, Mayo’s tune began to shift when preseason video games have been on the horizon.
Aug. 16: For me, we all the time speak about competitors and that is in any respect spots. So even when Drake beats out Jacoby, I imply, he earned that function. And we do not actually take that into consideration when he is able to go, and if he is higher than Jacoby, he’ll play. He’ll begin.
Aug. 19: We nonetheless do not know proper now. We now have one other preseason recreation after which per week after that. Once I know, I am going to let you understand.
Story continues beneath commercial
After the second preseason recreation, momentum appeared to develop for Maye.
Aug. 21: A hundred percent. I believe he is able to run a huddle. … (however) it is nonetheless a contest and Jacoby (Brissett) continues to be QB1.
Mayo then caught everybody’s consideration after the preseason finale.
Aug. 26: I want to sit right here and say 100%; he’s our second-best quarterback on our roster proper now.
Story continues beneath commercial
His look on the “Greg Hill Present”: I am not going to get too far down the street on if Jacoby may play or could not play. What I’ll say is, this can be a true competitors. It wasn’t fluff or something like that. It is a true competitors. And I’d say at this present level, Drake has outplayed Jacoby. Now in saying that, now we have to soak up the total physique of labor, going all the best way again to the spring and starting of coaching camp. And we’ll see the place we find yourself.
One widespread factor we see right here is how a lot Mayo beloved to evangelise about “competitors.” That rhetoric may need been why followers held out hope that Maye could be the Week 1 starter over Brissett. Mayo appeared agency on the thought of Brissett being the first-choice quarterback all through the summer season, however issues began to get complicated because the preseason continued alongside.
However heading into Week 1, it looks like followers can maintain again on a quarterback controversy. At the least for now.
