FOXBORO, Mass. — At the beginning of Patriots training camp, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt strongly backed Jacoby Brissett as New England’s top quarterback.
Well, what about now?
Van Pelt met with Patriots reporters on Thursday for his first media availability since the early camp presser. As expected, Van Pelt faced many questions on New England’s intensifying quarterback competition between Brissett and rookie Drake Maye.
Alex Van Pelt Hasn’t Changed Stance on Jacoby Brissett
Maye, who struggled early in camp, made significant strides over the last week. And though Maye’s practice snaps with offensive starters have increased, he still has repped as the clear No. 2 quarterback. As Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo noted on Wednesday, Brissett will remain the Patriots’ top QB until further notice.
When asked why Maye hadn’t supplanted Brissett, Van Pelt offered a simple explanation.
“Jacoby,” he said.
“Right now, he’s our starting quarterback,” Van Pelt said of Brissett. “The good news is this week, we get to play everybody. We’re still in the evaluation process. We have one more preseason game, and our guys are going to play, so we’ll have a chance to evaluate them.”
Alex Van Pelt arrives … like the progress of the offense … sees “no regression” from Drake Maye, who has been “impressive.” pic.twitter.com/7UNtDignw6
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss)
Van Pelt again praised Brissett when asked about the veteran’s experience in his offense. But Van Pelt also noted that Maye is making a run at the starting job.
“Jacoby has tons of experience, not just in the NFL but in this system,” Van Pelt said. “We’ve won games with him in Cleveland, so I’m comfortable with his understanding.
“But again, Drake is pushing.”
How Van Pelt Feels About Drake Maye’s Development
Van Pelt, like Mayo, has been impressed by Maye since his struggles in the mid-August joint practice against the Philadelphia Eagles.
“(Maye has) taken steps forward every single day, and that’s the big thing,” Van Pelt said. “There’s no regression. He’s taking what he’s learned from the previous practices and applying it to the next practice. He’s been really impressive, the last few weeks especially.”
Patriots QBs coach TC McCartney on Drake Maye: “His confidence is growing, and he’s getting better and better. It’s been really good.” pic.twitter.com/1bXVEkq6hJ
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox)
Maye’s lack of reps with the starting offense has been a storyline throughout training camp. Interestingly, Van Pelt said he would also like to see Maye’s work with the starters increase.
“Obviously, we’ve got to get (Maye) out there and watch him play,” Van Pelt said. “We’d obviously like to get him out there with the first group if we can and see him operate with the first offense.”
Is that a tacit indication that Van Pelt and other Patriots decision-makers aren’t on the same page with Maye’s development plan? Or was he simply expressing hope that Maye would eventually earn more time with the starters?
In any event, Mayo said he wants to pick a starting QB by next Monday or Tuesday, so Patriots fans won’t have to wait much longer to learn who will be under center in Week 1 when the team faces the Cincinnati Bengals.
