Patriots’ QB battle featuring Drake Maye ‘definitely’ isn’t over

Drake Maye still has a shot at overtaking Jacoby Brissett and starting Week 1 against Cincinnati, coach Jerod Mayo said.

Brissett started both preseason games and has consistently taken first-team reps throughout training camp, but Mayo said he views the situation as a competition.

“We have three more days of training camp practices and it’s our job as coaches to evaluate, and the competition isn’t over,” Mayo said. “They’re still going to go out there and they have to show not only themselves and their coaches but their teammates. So, it’s definitely still a competition.”

Maye outshined Brissett in Thursday night’s 14-13 preseason loss to the Eagles at Gillette Stadium. Maye scored New England’s only touchdown on a 4-yard option run and finished 6-for-11 passing for 47 yards. He also uncorked an impressive deep throw to Javon Baker that would have been a highlight if it hadn’t been dropped.

Meanwhile, Brissett struggled, going 3-for-7 for 17 yards including a red zone interception on New England’s opening drive. Brissett tried to force a throw to tight-end Austin Hooper in the end zone, and Philadelphia’s Avonte Maddox stepped in front to grab the pick.

“It was just forcing the play,” Mayo said. “We had other guys open on that play and it was just a poor play, a terrible play. We can’t have those especially when you have guaranteed points on the board.”

“It turns from a ‘we’ve got a field goal already pretty much secured’ to now really being a seven point play by turning the ball over,” Mayo added. “So, just a poor play overall and I think if you ask Jacoby he would say the same thing.”

Mayo was asked what Maye needs to do show in order to prove that he’s ready to start on opening day.

“I think first and foremost the entire operation needs to be faster,” Mayo said. “I think he needs to get those guys in the huddle faster, get them out of the huddle faster, get to the line and be on point. I think that’s definitely a thing he needs to work on and I think he is. We have three more days of camp and that’s going to be my point of emphasis for him.”

Handling pressure is one aspect of Maye’s game that has shown significant improvement, Mayo said. Maye is moving around a lot better than he had previously.

“Some of the things that happened over the the last couple weeks was just stepping up into pressure,” Mayo said. “I thought he did a better job overall with using his legs and really extending plays. He made some good throws, and we didn’t come down with the catch but he definitely took a step forward.”

Maye and Brissett each played one series during the preseason opener against the Panthers. Maye went 2-for-3 for 19 yards. Brissett went 0-for-3.

Maye has primarily practiced with the second-team this summer and has yet to take repetitions with the starters.

“We’ll see,” Mayo said. “We’ll have a staff meeting later on today and that decision will be made. I do think he definitely showed improvement yesterday as a whole and we’ll see what happens going forward.”