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 continued into New England's final preseason game on Sunday, Aug. 25.
Brissett started the Week 3 preseason game against the Commanders and exited with a shoulder injury after his lone drive. Maye saw significant action in the preseason finale, going 13 of 20 for 126 yards and a touchdown.
After the game, head coach Jerod Mayo offered a positive update on Brissett's shoulder and sounded as if Brissett is in line to start in the season opener.
Of course, the three preseason outings won't be the only factor considered in 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. It is worth noting that upon the conclusion of the preseason, Mayo said Maye outplayed Brissett to this point.
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Patriots QB depth chart
With the preseason in the rearview, it seems that Brissett maintains his lead atop the quarterback depth chart in New England.
The veteran quarterback started in all three preseason games and Maye slides in behind him at the No. 2 as evidenced by the number of reps he took throughout 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 |