There are fewer quarterback competitions to be decided by the day.
One decision remaining is with the New England Patriots, where rookie first-rounder Drake Maye appears to be gaining on veteran bridge Jacoby Brissett.
With two preseason games down and three weeks until the season opener, rookie head coach Jerod Mayo said Monday he remains unsure who his starter will be in Week 1 against the host Cincinnati Bengals.
“We still don't know right now,” Mayo said, via team transcript. “We have another preseason game, and then a week after that. When I know, I'll let you know.”
He did let reporters know that Maye is progressing and looking more and more impressive.
“This guy comes in early, leaves late,” Mayo said. “Every day, he's one of those type of guys, and he's done a great job. I would also say the coaches have done a good job meeting with him one-on-one, making sure that he's comfortable with his team play. He's absolutely getting better.”
From the outset of the Patriots’ offseason program, Brissett has been the team’s QB1 sans an announcement that he would be QB1 when it matters most: the regular season.
Presumably, Brissett would begin the season as the starter, giving Maye more time to acclimate before possibly taking over later in the season -- especially if New England struggles.
“I still treat myself as the starter,” Brissett said Monday.
However, Maye has been making strides and garnering support in the process.
The No. 3 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, Maye is the Patriots’ quarterback of the future. Just how quickly New England gets to that future remains to be seen. It’s clearly getting closer, however.
“He made some good throws, and I would say his teammates can see that confidence growing, as well,” Mayo said. “Hopefully, it's just an upward trajectory from here.”
Be it the media or the Patriots fans, the noise surrounding Maye playing will only grow louder.
Brissett’s not fretting that, though. He can’t afford to.
“I can’t worry about that, I just go out there and do my job,” Brissett said. “I’ve been in this league long enough and a lot of crazy things have happened in my career so far, and I wouldn’t be shocked by anything. But at the same time, man, I’m enjoying this process, and just putting my best foot forward, and just letting the chips fall where they may.”
The Minnesota Vikings’ QB battle was decided in disastrous fashion when rookie first-rounder J.J. McCarthy was lost for the season with a knee injury, leaving the job to Sam Darnold by default.
Next up was the Las Vegas Raiders’ QB1 spot, which Gardner Minshew won over Aidan O'Connell.
That decision was revealed Sunday and on Monday came the no-brainer for the Washington Commanders, with head coach Dan Quinn announcing the obvious that No. 2 pick Jayden Daniels was the starter over veteran Marcus Mariota.
Decisions remain for the Denver Broncos, with No. 12 pick Bo Nix garnering acclaim as he looks to win out over Jarrett Stidham, the Pittsburgh Steelers, in which neither Russell Wilson or Justin Fields looked good this past week, and, of course, the Pats.
New England plays its final preseason game Sunday against the Commanders.
After a cameo of a preseason debut, Maye got more run on Thursday against the Philadelphia Eagles. Through two preseason games, he’s 6 of 11 for 47 yards with a rushing touchdown. Brissett, who likewise barely played in the opener, has hardly shined, even in limited time, completing 3 of 7 passes for 17 yards with an interception.
There are a few weeks left of practice and one potentially pivotal preseason game for Mayo to decide.
Will the Patriots go with the veteran Brissett to open the season or is Maye simply too good and too promising to keep on the bench? We shall see.