The Patriots’ rookie quarterback made another impression while the team’s veteran quarterback got hurt, which may have changed the course of the quarterback duel.
The third overall pick in the draft, Drake Maye, appeared to outplay Jacoby Brissett in the team’s third and final exhibition game on Sunday night in Washington, D.C. Brissett suffered a throwing shoulder injury during the game. It is unknown how serious the injury is because Brissett did not miss any plays and the Patriots only expected him to play one or two series, according to Mayo’s pregame remarks.
Although Brissett was listed as “questionable” in the team’s official designation, that did not really matter because he was only going to play in one or two drives.
Patriots injury update: QB Jacoby Brissett (right shoulder) is questionable to return. pic.twitter.com/L8c0HcStc9
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 26, 2024
During the first half, Maye spearheaded the lone scoring drive and completed his five possessions with 13 of 20 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown. (In addition, an offensive line penalty erased a 48-yard touchdown pass to K.J. Osborn that he had thrown on the run.) Brissett, meanwhile, only participated on one drive and completed two of his four throws for 19 yards.
When the Patriots play in Cincinnati in two weeks to start the season, Brissett might still start if he is healthy for two reasons, even if Maye had the better plays and the greater potential.
The first is easy: On Friday, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt made it very apparent that he thought Brissett was the quarterback with the better grasp of the offense and the starter. Van Pelt said, “Jacoby,” in response to a question regarding what prevented Maye from receiving more practice reps with the starting offense. Van Pelt stated that he did not want to stray from the Patriots’ strategy of bringing Maye along gradually.
It is not his fault if Maye might start the game on the bench for the other reason. The offensive line’s subpar play on Sunday served as a reminder of how challenging the job will be for the Patriots quarterback, whoever it ends up being. Maye had to contend with two poor snaps, a false start from a lineman, and a guard who was pushed back so fast that he stepped on Maye so forcefully the quarterback’s shoe came off in the first 13 plays.
Due to an error by the offensive line, Brissett, the seasoned quarterback, took a serious hit during the drive. After the collision, he continued to play in the game for two more snaps, one of which featured an excellent ball down the sideline. Brissett did not receive a medical evaluation, according to NBC’s broadcast, but the blow was obviously painful and a harsh reminder of what might be in store for the Pats’ quarterback this season.
Mayo stated last week that the starting quarterback for the Patriots will probably be chosen either Monday night or Tuesday early. Therefore, it is possible that he will make that announcement at his news conference on Wednesday afternoon.
(Photo: John Tlumacki / The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
