Jerod Mayo caused a stir among Patriots fans with an assessment of his quarterbacks' preseason play.
The New England head coach admitted after his side's preseason finale that Drake Maye "outplayed" Jacoby Brissett despite the rookie being second in the pecking order behind the veteran. The comment confused fans and had them wondering if Maye actually had a chance to start Week 1.
Former Patriots captain James White and Mayo's predecessor Bill Belichick highlighted the differences between preseason and practice, and it seemed to be Brissett's mindset when he asked about Mayo's comment.
"No feeling," Brissett told reporters Thursday.
Mayo named Brissett the starter after speaking with him and Maye privately in individual conversations and a team meeting. Maye admitted he had no hard feelings over the decision as he and Brissett remain in lockstep in competing and supporting each other. Mayo admitted the door wasn't completely shut on the 2024 first-round pick, but he also said the team had complete confidence in Brissett for this season.
When the 31-year-old takes the field against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 8, it will mark the first time he'll start for the Patriots since the 2016 season.
