The Patriots made significant moves in the quarterback department during the 2024 NFL Draft and the preceding offseason.
They drafted former North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye and also picked up Tennessee’s Joe Milton III in the sixth round. Additionally, they acquired veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett after trading Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
With a quarterback room that already includes Bailey Zappe and Nathan Rourke, the Patriots have several options. Drake Maye, selected after Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears) and Jayden Daniels (Washington Commanders), is seen as the future of the franchise, but the question remains if he will start immediately.
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Patriots’ head coach Jerod Mayo suggested that while Jacoby Brissett might start the season, both he and Maye would compete for the starting spot.
“Coming in as a rookie, hopefully he’s a sponge,” Mayo told Cameron Wolfe of NFL.com about Maye. “A lot of good players in that locker room. Look, Jacoby understands. He’s a mentor. He’s very smart, has great leadership skills, and hopefully Drake can learn something from him, as well. I would say we’re going to compete all spring. We’re going to compete during training camp, and the best player will start.”
“You can sit here and say he’s not supposed to be pro-ready,” Mayo said of Maye, “but once you get a guy in the building, what if he’s tearing us up on defense?”
Bill Belichick also weighed in on Maye, particularly on draft night during “The Pat McAfee Show.” He noted Maye’s tendency to compare himself to Josh Allen, expressing both caution and recognition of Maye’s potential. “Drake compares himself a lot to Josh Allen, we’ll see about that,” Belichick said. He acknowledged similarities in size and athleticism but pointed out that Josh Allen is a unique talent. Belichick also mentioned Maye’s limited experience and the need for him to develop consistency and improve his defense reading skills.
Since Tom Brady’s departure, the Patriots have struggled to find a stable successor, cycling through five starting quarterbacks and managing only one winning season with a playoff appearance. The team’s efforts to rebuild and stabilize the quarterback position continue to be a focal point for their strategy moving forward.
