Jerod Mayo has only been the head coach of the New England Patriots for two games, but he's already working to eliminate any controversy at the quarterback position.
Drake Maye, the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, completed four passes for 22 yards during the Patriots' 24-3 loss to the New York Jets on Thursday night. The game marked the first time Maye saw action in a regular-season game.
While calls for Maye to officially take over the reins from starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett appeared to grow louder, Mayo made it clear who he would be sticking with for the foreseeable future.
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New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo looks on during the second quarter of a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium on August 8, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images)
“Jacoby is our quarterback until I say he's not,” Mayo said Friday. The coach then mentioned Brissett's toughness. “I think he showed a lot of toughness, a lot of determination.”
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The Patriots came into the game short-handed on the offensive line, further hampering the team's ability to have a productive night.
New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (56) sacks New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) in the first half at MetLife Stadium. (Images by Robert Deutsch-Imagn)
Brissett finished the night with 98 passing yards. He was also sacked five times and, once Maye entered the game in the fourth quarter, he couldn't do much.
September 19, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) runs with the ball against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. (Images by Brad Penner-Imagn)
Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt expressed his belief that keeping Maye in a backup role for the time being would ultimately be beneficial.
“I still think it's about watching. I think there's still a lot to learn, and that's my stance,” Van Pelt said. “Jacoby is our starter, like Coach said, until that changes, I think we have to do everything we can to get the starter ready to win a game.” [Sept. 29 in San Francisco].”
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Mayo acknowledged the difficulties that arise when a quarterback is thrown into the fire in the middle of a game.
“Coming off the bench at that point is always tough, no matter what position, but especially at quarterback, and I think he handled himself well and tried to put a series together,” Mayo said. “It's something to build off of.”
The Patriots will travel to California next week for a game against the San Francisco 49ers.
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