Jerod Mayo is keeping the New England Patriots' QB1 decision to himself for one more sunrise.
The first-time head coach told reporters on Wednesday that he has decided whether Jacoby Brissett or rookie Drake Maye will open the season under center, but wants to communicate it to the players first.
"I know everyone wants to know that. I'm going to talk to the individual players tomorrow -- I'm going to have a team meeting tomorrow -- and then I'll get it to you guys," Mayo said. "Yes, we've made a decision; just haven't communicated. And honestly, I want those guys to hear it first from me before they hear it from someone else."
Mayo noted that with roster cutdowns and waiver acquisitions, there wasn't time to alert the players before Wednesday's media session.
The coach said he's taken counsel from offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, and the rest of the staff has their opinion on the Week 1 starter, but he's the ultimate decider.
"Look, they've gone through the process as well. They've gone through the spring with these players, they've gone through training camp with these players," Mayo said. "I'm sure they all have an opinion on who should be the starting quarterback, but I don't think I have to explain it to anyone else. It's my decision, and if it doesn't work, blame me."
Brissett entered training camp squarely ahead in the battle for the Week 1 gig, but Maye put pressure on the veteran by flashing a big arm, heady pocket movement, and improved play despite less-than-ideal surroundings. Maye's on-field development and increased leadership presence made the call closer than it appeared entering the preseason with Mayo acknowledging this week that the rookie has "played better" in games.
One big question for Mayo is whether he'd want to toss a rookie into the fire behind an unsettled, struggling offensive line.
Will it be Brissett to open the season on Sept. 8 against the Cincinnati Bengals with Maye making his debut down the line, or will the first-year coach tap the face of the franchise from the jump?
"I would say one thing: I think it's important to remember, what's good for the team today may not be good for the team weeks down the line," Mayo said on Wednesday. "And so, I think the challenge is you want to win every single game now, but also we're trying to build something special here in New England. So that, to me, was a challenge."