Patriots coach briefly sets up quarterback controversy with Jacoby Brissett comment

· New York Post

Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett never got anything going on offense against the Jets on Thursday, but he will get another chance.

No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye made his NFL debut during garbage time of the Jets’ 24-3 win and is waiting in the wings to take over.

New England head coach Jerod Mayo was initially non-committal on Thursday night about leaving Brissett as the starter after falling to 1-2.

“I don’t know,” Mayo told reporters when asked about a potential change. “We talk about it every single week . . . we’ll get together as a coaching staff.”

Mayo, though, did give Brissett a vote of confidence when the subject came up again on Friday morning.

“Jacoby is our quarterback until he’s not the quarterback. I thought last night he showed a lot of toughness, a lot of grit,” Mayo said, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss.

Maye had his moments in mop-up duty, scrambling for an 11-yard first down and driving the Patriots into the red zone before time expired.

Al Michaels called this a “Welcome to the league hit” on Drake Maye. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

However, Maye took two sacks in his one drive, including one on the final play.

Amazon Prime commentator Al Michaels said Maye received a “Welcome to the league hit” on his third play when he was crushed after rushing for one yard.

“I thought it was too good of an opportunity for him to go out there and get him some experience,” Mayo said, according to Mass Live.

Jerod Mayo and the Patriots are 1-2 after Thursday’s loss. Duncan Williams/CSM/Shutterstock

Mayo previously hesitated to name a starter in the lead-up to Week 1, telling reporters that Maye outplayed Brissett for the job out of camp but still gave the starting gig to the veteran.

“What I will say is this is a true competition … and I would say at this current point, Drake has outplayed Jacoby,” Mayo said prior to naming Brissett the starter to begin the season.

Drake Maye had a solid drive in mop-up duty. Getty Images

The offensive line struggles are an obvious concern that could influence when the Patriots eventually opt to make the change for the future.

Patriots quarterbacks have been sacked 11 times through three games this season, including seven Thursday night.

Jacoby Brissett got behind early and the Jets took control of the game. Bill Kostroun/New York Post
Drake Maye was hit hard by Jets defenders. AP

Brissett hasn’t exactly lit it up as a starter, though, ranking in the bottom five in average yards per pass attempt (5.1) and just 13 points per game (third-worst).