Patriots
“That’s a conversation,” Mayo said. “Not only at that spot but all the spots, of how to get better as a football team.”
As calls to start rookie Drake Maye continue to build, Jerod Mayo offered a frank assessment of Jacoby Brissett’s play in Sunday’s 15-10 loss to Miami.
Brissett has gone without a touchdown in three of the five games he has started for New England this season. He was 18-for-34 for 160 yards against the Dolphins.
“It just wasn’t good enough,” Mayo said. “I thought we played well enough defensively and on special teams to win the football game.”
“Look, as the quarterback, and he understands this, he touches the ball on every single play and we didn’t win the game, or score enough points to win the game. I think he would echo that same sentiment that it wasn’t good enough.”
When asked if he was considering a quarterback change, Mayo said that every position is under evaluation.
“What I would say is I think I’ve been pretty consistent,” Mayo said. “My messaging is that every single week we’re all, or I should say every single day, we’re all being evaluated. And it’s no different now. That’s kind of how I see it.”
Last week, Mayo said that Brissett was 100 percent still the starter. He did not give Brissett as strong of an endorsement this week. He was asked on WEEI’s Greg Hill Show whether he still feels Brissett gives the team the best chance to win.
“Look, we haven’t had our full staff meeting today,” Mayo said. “That’s a conversation, not only at that spot but all the spots, of how to get better as a football team. We’re not playing well. It’s not a secret. Being the head coach of this team, I have to accept all the responsibility for that.”
The offensive line has faced plenty of criticism this season. Mayo said they weren’t entirely to blame for how the offense looked Sunday.
“Actually, I think they did a pretty good job,” Mayo said. Obviously, there was pressure throughout the day, but there were also some pockets that seemed pretty clean.”
“You have to marry it all up as you evaluate. The quarterback spot is like the offensive line: on a per play basis. But I did think they showed some fight yesterday.”
He was asked if some decisions, such as moving Mike Onwenu from offensive tackle to offensive guard, and the wide receiver rotation he used, are geared towards making a better framework for an eventual quarterback change.
“That’s a fair assessment,” Mayo said. “I mean, I think you’re right. I mean, we need to get some consistency across the board for whoever’s at quarterback.”
Several reporters have suggested that the Patriots are considering a quarterback change.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer said that Maye is “closing in” on being the best quarterback on the team.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter said a quarterback change could be coming “soon” with Maye “potentially” starting this weekend against the Texans.
ESPN’s Mike Reiss said his opinion is that Mayo had a noticeable shift in his answers about Brissett and seems to be strongly considering starting Maye.
Maye made his NFL debut in the closing minutes of New England’s Week 3 loss to the Jets in East Rutherford. He has not played in a game since.
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