Patriots reporter shares whether Drake Maye has chance to start Week 1

May 11, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) works out at at the New England Patriots rookie camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

The New England Patriots have been treating Jacoby Brissett as their starting quarterback through the early portion of the offseason, but there is a sense that the rookie may have a chance to win the starting job by the end of the summer.

Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald on Sunday published a list of 11 players he feels were either studs or duds during organized team activities and minicamp. Maye was the first stud listed, and Kyed said the former North Carolina star “showed progress” throughout the spring and appears to have jumped over Bailey Zappe for No. 2 on the depth chart behind Brissett.

Kyed made it clear he is not convinced that Brissett has already been handed the Week 1 starting job.

“It’s still too early to tell who will start Week 1 for the Patriots when they take on the Bengals in Cincinnati. Patriots offensive coaches referred to Brissett as their starter. And he led off all drills at the quarterback position throughout OTAs and minicamp,” Kyed wrote. “But if Maye is ready, and if he’s playing better than Brissett (which he did on Wednesday), then there’s no reason to sit the rookie to start the season.”

There have been several flattering reports about Maye throughout the spring. While Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo has said he is comfortable with Brissett as his starter, fans are going to want to see what Maye can do. The question will be whether New England’s coaching staff feels like the No. 3 overall pick is ready after training camp and the preseason.

The last thing the Patriots want to do is ruin Maye’s confidence, but strong play over the next two months would definitely make the Week 1 decision more difficult.