The 2024 NFL schedule is slowly taking shape one step at a time and fans have their eyes on Drake Maye and the New England Patriots. However, while the addition of Maye was supposed to sort out all doubts for the team, the Patriots still appear to be in a dilemma of who will be their starting QB during the season.

The position might be a fight between Drake Maye and Jacoby Brissett, who is the only veteran quarterback in an inexperienced Patriots roster this year. Adding to this scenario is the absence of the experience HC Bill Belichick brought to the Patriots team, leaving major executive decisions solely in the hands of Robert Kraft. Hence, the whiff of disagreements between new HC Jerod Mayo and owner Kraft are not unexpected scenes to have unfolded, particularly concerning the QB situation.

Drake Maye likely to be given preference over Jacoby Brissett

The question spearheading the debate was whether Drake Maye should sit out in his rookie season or not. Nick Wright unveiled his bold take on the situation. The broadcaster thinks that Kraft and his associates will “not allow” Drake Maye to sit out his rookie year. Per the host of the First Things First show, Mayo might not have the freedom to shuffle the roster as he pleases, as opposed to how Belichick had the matters in his hands.

The problem per Wright is that Jacoby Brissett was drafted by Bill Belichick and now that Robert Kraft has cut ties with him, the owner may want to exercise his power and position to put Drake Maye as their QB1 rather than Belichick’s chosen star. And though Wright thinks that the team should sit the rookie in his first season, the owner of the team possibly might not let it happen.

“So, I think Drake Maye of all the young quarterbacks is the one who should sit the most, not because his age allows for it, but also because they have a mediocre best offensive line and terrible skill position, guys. So let him sit for at least half a year if not a full year, but I don’t think they’ll let him do it. I do not think ownership will allow it, bro,” said Nick Wright.

Looking at the condition of the QB room, Robert Kraft looks inclined toward putting rookie QB Drake Maye in the starting position based on his NCAA contributions. Maye’s 3608 passing yards, 24 TDs and 269 completions out of 425 attempts put him right at the top of the Patriots’ choice list. However, Brissett brings a factor to the mix that Drake Maye currently lacks- experience in the NFL.

The former Commanders’ QB’s 981 completions out of 1600 attempts, along with coverage of 10,574 yards and 51 TDs puts forth an image of reliance on his proven abilities. While conversation surrounds who will take up the QB1 position, Brissett came forth to share his emotions about the same as well, stating, “That’s all out of my control, so I am not worried about that. I’m excited to have him (Drake Maye) on the team.” He further highlighted how “competition brings out the best in all of us” pointing to a healthy environment of growth in the Patriots side.

However, Jerod Mayo recently spoke to the media, telling them about how Drake Maye has a lot of work to do before he’s handed the reins of the New England team.

Jerod Mayo is apprehensive of Drake Maye?

While the owner of the team looks to be in favor of Drake Maye taking the starting position as a QB, other reports surrounding the team indicate an opposite outlook. Per a report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the team is already considering playing Brissett as their QB1, simply because Drake Maye does not seem to be fully prepared to take up the starting QB role.

Fowler’s source told him that Maye “needs to get acclimated to the pro game.” The Patriots head coach also displayed the same emotions after watching the rookie QB at the mini-training camp. In a separate instance, Mayo spoke to Mike Reiss of ESPN and said, “He has a lot to work on. A lot to work on,” and added, “But I have no doubt that he will put the time in. He was here all night trying to get on the same page as everyone else.”

Right now, the team’s OC Alex Van Pelt is working on making the induction process quick and easy for the former North Carolina QB. Also, Jerod Mayo thinks that there are some issues with Drake Maye’s footwork among other things and he needs to be prepared before he takes his place as a starting quarterback.

Amidst these requirements of learning and adaptation from Maye, his competitor Jacoby Brissett came forth to extend his support to the young rookie quarterback. Drawing inspiration from his 2016 experience of getting drafted by the Patriots, Brissett looked to be taking some lessons from his then teammates, Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo. The two quarterbacks had welcomed young Brissett warmly into the side, forming a close bond, with the trio later being called the “wolf-pack.”

In a replication of creating a similarly comfortable environment for his juniors, Brissett remarked,  “When I was here the first time, you realize everybody’s your mentor that’s older than you in this league or has more experience, and I hope I’m that for more than just Drake. And be a helping person for players on this team. When people ask that to other guys, I don’t understand the bad part. I’m a teammate first. I hope I can be a good teammate to not only him but everybody on this team.”

As discussions and decisions continue to surround the fresh QB roster of the team, who do you think should be handed over the position of being Mac Jones’ replacement? Let us know your thoughts below!