How Drake Maye Would Feel If Not Named Patriots Starting QB

Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels were both drafted just ahead of Drake Maye and they will get the chance to start as rookies.

Maye most likely won't be given the same opportunity with the New England Patriots.

First-year Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo kept the door open for Maye to be the starting quarterback, but all signs point to Jacoby Brissett being the one under center when New England opens up the regular season in just over two weeks at the Cincinnati Bengals.

Mayo said he plans to name a starter by early next week and if that decision doesn't go in Maye's favor, the soon-to-be 22-year-old didn't let on that it would bother him.

"The biggest thing with me I think personal goals come with winning," Maye told reporters Wednesday following practice, per team-provided video. "Personal goal is to help this football team win in whichever way I can. So, whether that's starting or whether that's helping Jacoby, any way, just helping this team win, that's the main focus."

Maye would be far from the first rookie quarterback to sit and watch for the majority of his inaugural NFL season. Of course, Tom Brady was down on the depth chart when he made it to the NFL and more recently, Patrick Mahomes, who the Chiefs took 10th overall in 2017, started just one game as a rookie.

Maye being a top-three pick does change matters, but it looks like the Patriots plan to carry out a patient approach with their quarterback of the future. Maye already showed improvement in the preseason, especially in the contest against the Philadelphia Eagles, but he'll have to learn to wait his turn, at least for the time being.

"I think all scenarios are different," Maye said. "I think you've seen some success from guys that play right away and some that sit. So, just trust in the organization, trust in what the coaches think and I'm just here to continue to work and be ready when my name's called."