Former North Carolina Tar Heels’ quarterback Drake Maye is entering his first NFL training camp with the New England Patriots this week. But the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft is already in a quarterback battle.
Veteran Jacoby Brissett is currently being listed as the starter going into training camp but that doesn’t mean the rookie can’t win it. Head coach Jerod Mayo left the door open for Maye to win the starting job when speaking to the media on Tuesday.
After Mayo told the reporters that it’s ‘clear’ Brissett is the most NFL-ready quarterback, he had this to say about Maye:
“At the end of the day, our philosophy is, the best players will play,” Mayo said back in April. “Coming in as a rookie, hopefully [Maye is] a sponge. … Look, Jacoby understands; he’s a mentor. He’s very smart, has great leadership skills, and hopefully Drake can learn something from him as well. I would say we’re going to compete all spring, we’re going to compete during training camp, and the best player will start.”
“If he (Drake) comes out here and takes full advantage and lights it up, he could be the Day 1 quarterback.”
Maye spent three seasons at North Carolina, starting the final two after Sam Howell left for the NFL. In his final season, Maye completed 63.3 percent of his passes, finishing with 3,608 yards, while throwing 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions and also running for 449 yards.
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