FOXBORO — The Patriots have a starting quarterback.
For now.
New head coach Jerod Mayo, meeting with the media on the first official day of training camp, called veteran QB Jacoby Brissett the Patriots’ starter.
“Coming out of the spring, I don’t think there’s any doubt, Jacoby is the starting quarterback at this point in time. We could look at these other quarterbacks on the roster. At the same time, it’s a competition. So, when we get out on the field this summer with the pads on, we’ll see how it all plays out. But coming out of the spring, I think it’s clear that Jacoby is the most pro-ready. He’s played a lot of football.”
Rookie third overall pick Drake Maye, third-year pro Bailey Zappe and rookie sixth-round pick Joe Milton fill out the Patriots’ quarterback depth chart.
Mayo was asked a follow-up question on whether he could envision a scenario where Maye beats Brissett out for the starting job in Week 1.
“Look, if Drake — and this goes to any position — if he comes out here and he lights it up. Once again, it goes back to quality of reps. It could absolutely happen,” Mayo said. “Like, I sit here and tell you coming out of the spring, Jacoby looks like the starting quarterback. Now, with that being said, he’ll have competition. Let’s not forget about even Joe Milton. Let’s not forget about Zappe. All of those guys will have opportunities to go out there and be the starting quarterback.”
Mayo didn’t overcomplicate things when asked what exactly the rookie UNC product would have to do to earn the starting job. He also said Maye won’t necessarily have a redshirt season.
“To me, it goes back to the same word, and that’s competition. It’s not about everyone else. It’s about does this guy go out there and perform better than Jacoby? No matter who we’re talking about,” Mayo said.
Maye began spring practices working behind Brissett and Zappe and in front of Milton. By the end of the offseason workout program, he had passed Zappe on the depth chart and was taking No. 2 QB reps.
Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf began his scouting career with the Packers, who have had success initially sitting rookie quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers behind Brett Favre and Jordan Love behind Rodgers. The Patriots signed Brissett to be a bridge starter or veteran backup, but he’s not exactly Favre or Rodgers.
Brissett is 18-30 as a starter since being selected in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Patriots, starting game in New England and for the Colts, Dolphins and Browns, where he played under new Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. Brissett backed up Maye’s former college teammate Sam Howell last season with the Commanders.