Coach - Drake Maye outplaying Brissett, other factors to weigh - ESPN

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said rookie Drake Maye has closed the gap on veteran Jacoby Brissett, but the decision on a starting quarterback goes beyond that.

«This is a true competition, and I would say at this current point, Drake has outplayed Jacoby,» Mayo said Monday in his weekly appearance on sports radio WEEI's «The Greg Hill Show.» «Now in saying that, we have to take in the full body of work, going all the way back to the spring and beginning of training camp. And we'll see where we end up. But those are the conversations that will happen here over the next couple of days.»

Mayo elaborated in a video conference with reporters later Monday morning.

«It starts in practice and also in the game, where Drake has played better,» Mayo said. «In saying that, everyone wants to know who the starter is going to be. There are multiple factors that have to go into this decision. One is the total body of work, whether we're talking about the spring or the entirety of training camp. And I would also say, oftentimes we forget about the overall experience that a guy like Jacoby has, which will also be weighted in the decision we have to make in the near future.

»I'm happy with the way those guys are battling it out. Hopefully over the next couple days, we can name a starter and get the season rolling."

The Patriots, who open the regular season Sept. 8 at the Cincinnati Bengals, arrived at their facility at 4 a.m. ET following Sunday's 20-10 loss to the Washington Commanders in the preseason finale. Mayo acknowledged that the right shoulder injury sustained by Brissett on the opening series, which he said Sunday night that the quarterback could have played through, is among the factors to be