The Patriots are leaving all options on the table for Drake Maye

Jerod Mayo held his pre-training camp press conference on Tuesday morning at Gillette Stadium, ahead of the New England Patriots' first practice on Wednesday. With the team's quarterback position being the biggest story heading into camp, it was a popular talking point.

The big question at the quarterback position is who will start the season under center. Jacoby Brissett has the experience, but there's external excitement for Drake Maye, who is the presumed future of the franchise after the Patriots drafted him third overall back in April.

During spring practices, Brissett saw the majority of the top reps with Maye's role increasing as time went on. Based on what Mayo said on Tuesday, it sounds like things will pick up where they left off as the Patriots begin training camp.

"Coming out of the spring, I don't think there's any doubt Jacoby is the starting quarterback at this point in time," Mayo told reporters. "I think it's clear that Jacoby is the most pro ready guy we have. He's played a lot of football."

That's how things stand at the start of camp. However, there's still room for things to change before the start of the regular season, which Mayo acknowledged when asked if the door is open for Maye to start Week 1.

"If [Drake Maye] comes out here and he lights it up - and once again it goes back to the quality of reps - it could absolutely happen," Mayo noted. "I sit here and tell you, coming out of the spring, Jacoby looks like the starting quarterback. Now, with that being said, he'll have competition."

Patriots training camp preview podcast w/Alex Barth & Matt Dolloff

(Click here to subscribe to Patriots Audio on 98.5 The Sports Hub.)

Mayo continued further down the depth chart as well, adding "let's not forget about Joe Milton. Let's not forget about [Bailey] Zappe. All those guys will have opportunities to go out there and be the starting quarterback in Week 1."

Asked if the team plans to keep four quarterbacks throughout the summer (it was previously reported the Patriots were hoping to narrow that number down to three after the spring), Mayo said "we're always going to take the mindset of 'we're going to do what's best for the organization,' and we're going to try to get those guys to go out there and get reps so they can compete. And I don't know if that means for three, honestly. Right now we have four quarterbacks and those guys who go out there and practice today."

As for Maye, Mayo laid out what would constitute a successful season for the rookie quarterback in 2024 beyond the conversation of whether or not he'll start Week 1.

"The goal for Drake is just to get better each and every day. And look, it's not a straight line up to the top. There will be ups and downs," Mayo explained.

"Once again, if he comes out here and he takes full advantage and, and lights it up like he could be the Day 1 quarterback," Mayo reiterated, before adding, "but like I said, coming out of the spring I think it's Jacoby."

Going off of what Mayo said on Tuesday, it seems like there could be a real quarterback battle in store for the Patriots this summer. Maye seemed to be closing the gap on Brissett when spring practices wrapped up in mid-June, and if he can keep up this pace and prove he is the best quarterback on the roster, it doesn't sound like the Patriots' head coach is against putting him under center Week 1 in Cincinnati.