NFL Insider Emphasizes Patriots’ Stance On Rookie Drake Maye

There's a lot of buzz among Patriots fans with the starting quarterback job more ambiguous than it was at the start of training camp.

Head coach Jerod Mayo backtracked on his previous view of Jacoby Brissett as the starting quarterback as Drake Maye's stock grew after the second preseason came and after the rookie quarterback started getting more looks with the first unit.

It's not clear how much of a shot Maye will get with the alleged belief that New England might prefer to start a veteran at the start of the regular season. However, NFL Media's Ian Rapoport noted Monday that the Patriots are "very high" on Maye and blended credence to the idea of an open competition.

"It's possible it could take a different lane I would say," Rapoport said. "We'll see which way this one goes, but the fact that the early returns are so positive I would say is pretty good in New England."

The Patriots have a tough schedule to begin the season, so there might be hesitation to throw a rookie out there, especially in front of an offensive line with multiple question marks. Questions around the starting quarterback job could be answered this Thursday when New England takes on the Washington Commanders in the preseason finale.