Drake Maye is the future starting quarterback in New England — there’s little question about that.
The question is when the Patriots name Maye the starter. The No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft has been competing for the role throughout training camp and preseason with veteran Jacoby Brissett as the other realistic option.
New England isn’t close to contention and very well could be one of the worst teams this year, so the organization isn’t rushing to start the prized rookie. Still, Maye could earn that starting role as early as Week 1 of the regular season.
Here’s the latest on that quarterback battle and what the depth chart looks like in New England.
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Who is the Patriots’ starting quarterback?
The Patriots haven’t named a starting quarterback for the regular season yet. The battle between Maye and Brissett is still ongoing as New England plays its final game of the preseason on Sunday, Aug. 25.
Brissett will start the Week 3 preseason game against the Commanders, marking his third straight game as the team’s starting quarterback. Maye has also played in both of the previous games and is likely to see more time on Sunday, too.
#Patriots coach Jerod Mayo tells reporters that Jacoby Brissett will start their final preseason game, with Drake Maye and the others playing, as well. With their QB battle still yet to be concluded…
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 23, 2024
Of course, the three preseason outings won’t be the only factor considered in Jerod Mayo’s decision. The two slingers have gotten numerous reps throughout weeks of training camp and practice that much of the public hasn’t seen.
Since Brissett has started all three preseason games, it seems that Mayo is leaning toward the veteran to at least start Week 1. It would give Maye, who turns 22 on Aug. 30, a chance to ease into NFL action.
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If Brissett does earn the job, his play in the regular season will determine how long the team sticks with him. As mentioned before, Maye will be the franchise’s future starting quarterback. It’s a matter of when, not if.
The Patriots could start the rookie as early as Week 1 or bench him for the entire year like Jordan Love. They could also give him a brief end-of-season test like the Chiefs did with Patrick Mahomes in his rookie year. Mahomes played one game in 2017 before taking over the following year.
New England has a plethora of options with no rush to start Maye if the franchise believes he’s not ready. The mystery will likely have some more clues following the Patriots’ final preseason game.
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Patriots QB depth chart
With one game left in the preseason, it seems that Brissett is leading the quarterback depth chart in New England.
The veteran quarterback has started both of the first two preseason games and will start the final one Sunday night against the Commanders. Maye slides in behind him at the No. 2 slot as their battle for the starting job continues late into the preseason.
Bailey Zappe and Joe Milton III round out the last two spots with neither likely to see much time during the regular season without injuries to Brissett and Maye.
| Team | QB1 | QB2 | QB3 | QB4 |
| New England Patriots | Jacoby Brissett | Drake Maye | Bailey Zappe | Joe Milton III |
