What’s Plan A at QB1 in New England?

The Patriots are one of the few who have yet to officially announce who will be starting on September 8th for their opener in Cincinnati. As training camp opened it was inferred that 9-season veteran, Jacoby Brissett would take on the starting role. Head coach Jerod Mayo said that Brissett would be the most “Pro Ready” at the time, implying that it was his role to lose. However, 3rd-overall pick, Drake Maye’s numbers exceeded Brissett’s this preseason. Will their preseason performances play a strong role in this decision or is starting Brissett a plan in Drake Maye’s development?

Are Rookie QBs Ready?

A big controversy has recently swept the league over how important development years are for rookie quarterbacks. There have been a couple of examples in the past few years of rookies being thrown into the line of fire starting right away for their new teams. Also keeping in mind, most of these quarterbacks are top 10 draft picks meaning they re going to one of the worst teams in the NFL.

Preseason Comparison

While the development of Maye is a process as all head coaches will say, Jerod Mayo wants to win immediately. The numbers that Jacoby Brissett produced will not accomplish that. He finished the preseason overall 5-of-14, with 36 yards, 0 TDs, and interception, and a QBR of 14.6. Compared to Maye, who finished 21-of-34, throwing for 192 yards, a TD, and a passer rating of 86.9.

Maye produced a majority of that in his first drive of preseason week 3 against Washington when he led the Patriots on their lone touchdown drive of the game. In this drive he went 5-of-6, with 71 yards, finishing with an 18-yard touchdown pass.

Brissett was 0-for-3 in his only drive of this game before he injured his throwing shoulder from a sack by KJ Henry. Brissett is said to be completely healthy now but did his lack of performance lose him his starting job?

Who Will Start?

The young head coach of the Patriots has a decision to make in the next 11 days between a guy who shined in camp and the preseason, or a guy who has been in the league for nearly a decade. The ambition to win would point in the direction of Drake Maye, but that comes with the risk of affecting his future in the NFL.