How could Drake Maye pass Jacoby Brissett on Patriots QB Depth chart? Jerod Mayo explains

Before head coach Jerod Mayo officially announced Jacoby Brissett as the Patriots’ Week 1 starting quarterback, he cautioned that “what’s good for the team today may not be good for the team weeks down the line.”

That line made it obvious that Brissett, not rookie Drake Maye, would be the team’s Week 1 starter, and Mayo announced his decision a day later.

Mayo was asked about that comment Tuesday on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show” and what it entails for the season, when fans will be clamoring to see the third overall pick.

It sounds like performance in games from Brissett will play a major factor when deciding when to start Maye.

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Jerod Mayo answers whether Patriots’ Drake Maye would play if Jacoby Brissett gets hurt

“Every single week, these guys have one opportunity. We talk about practice being the most important thing, but playing on Sunday, every single week, these guys have one opportunity to go out there and perform at a high level,” Mayo said. “And so every single week is a competition, no matter what position we’re talking about. And I do still feel that way to answer your question that you know, if you’re not playing well, if you’re not giving our team the best chance to win games, no matter the position, then we have to look at different options.

“And I think that’s healthy stress. I think that’s healthy competition. And I think the guys need to understand that. It’s the same way we look at the practice squad. You look at the practice squad, and people have different philosophies around that. For me and (executive vice president of player personnel) Eliot (Wolf) and the rest of the organization, we look at that as a developmental type of unit, like guys that can step right in if we feel like we’re not getting enough out of our players on the field on Sundays.”

Mayo made it clear Tuesday that Maye is the Patriots’ backup quarterback. He also explained how Maye could develop behind Brissett even if he’s not starting games.

“We talk about, not only in the game, but also in practices, getting those mental reps, and he’ll know what every play is,” Mayo said. “He’ll make his checks and stuff on the sideline and continue to develop that way. And he’ll develop through practice. He’ll get reps still with the first team and also the show team. We’re sticking to the plan.”

Mayo made headlines last week on WEEI when he said that Maye had “outplayed” Brissett in the midst of their competition.

The first-year head coach clarified those comments in this week’s appearance.

“I should have given more context to the comment at the time,” Mayo said. “Drake had more playing time in the preseason than Jacoby, and that was intentional. So as we talk about the developmental plan, like we know what it is internally, but that was definitely intentional.

“We know what Jacoby can do. He’s played a lot of ball in this league. We see him every day in practice, and we know what he’s done in the NFL as well. So we have full confidence. I have full confidence in Jacoby leading our team into the season. And the players feel the same way. Those guys selected him as a captain, so that should say a lot as well. This is the way we’re going to go, and like I always say, as a head coach of the team, I’m trying to make the best decisions for the organization, not only here in the present, but also in the future.”

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