Mike Reiss: I give Drake Maye a 20% chance of winning the starting job for Week 1
Zolak and Bertrand are live from Patriots Training Camp and are joined by ESPN NFL Nation Reporter Mike Reiss, who shares his prediction about the franchise’s quarterback situation.
You can’t fool the team…
Bertrand: I think they’re committed to starting Jacoby Brissett Week 1, though.
Reiss: You think there’s nothing that can happen?
Bertrand: I don’t think they’re going to move off that spot, and I think they’re committed to that. I think the only question is, how soon are they willing to move off of that?
Zolak: Feels like they’re coming off it more than—
Bertrand: No, once the season begins. After week one, how soon are they willing to move off Jacoby Brissett?
Zolak: The more practices you get, and Drake Maye looks that much better, like I said, you can’t fool the team. That’s the problem.
Bertrand: Mike, you talk about pressure, and I think it’s an important point. You don’t want to put too much pressure on him. He’s a kid. He’s brand new to the league. He just got drafted. This is all new to him. The pressure of starting Week 1 is so much more than the pressure of competing in a training camp. I think you’re right. I think they are trying to keep the pressure off him, which is why I think they’re committed to not playing him in Week 1.
Reiss: So you’re 100-0, no chance on Drake (to start). So not to sit on the fence, I’m going to give my numbers. I’m going to say 80-20. I think it’s Jacoby 80 percent, like I lean toward you, but I do give 20 percent of the pie that there is a chance that if Drake does it. I might be influenced a little bit by seeing Mac (Jones) couple years ago in that joint practice. If you have a day like that, Zo, it starts to tilt in our numbers game.
Bertrand: Let me ask you this because I think what you’re describing is interesting. You go back to the Mac Jones, and we all remember that practice when Mac Jones lit it up. We’re like, ‘That’s it. You’ve got to go with this kid.’ That was partially because Cam Newton had been so bad the year before and was so bad in periods in that camp. Jacoby Brissett, to me at this stage to compare where he is now to where Cam Newton was at the end of his career. He’s more competent at taking the easy stuff. Taking what’s in front of you. Not throwing a ball five yards wide of the intended target. I mean, he’s in better physical condition right now than I think Cam was with his arm and his elbow issues at the end of his career. So I think we had that fresh in our mind. This is at least a professional, a guy who can do the basics.
Zolak: You gave him eight million bucks. You convinced him to come here and have an opportunity to sort of revive his career and jump-start it and have another opportunity at starting because I think he’s earned that. Cam was just sitting out there at the end of June when they picked him up, like just sitting on the street. Bill (Belichick) gave him a million bucks. We don’t know what the deal was there, but I’m with (Reiss) more on the 80-20 part of it, but Jacoby would have to go out and fall on his face every day. Like have bad picks every day. And then Drake would have to stack together the 14-16 days, and that’s where the turnover would happen.
Reiss: And one thing to build off Beetle’s point is, I think in addition the coaching staff’s background with Jacoby. I feel like Alex Van Pelt, the [offensive coordinator], is invested in him from having had him in 2022 with the Browns. I think they would feel like it has to be decisive. That’s why I’m 80-20 to Jacoby being the starter. Not 100-0 because I do leave open the possibility that if the light comes on for Drake, and it happens fast, and it’s so obvious to the players, you owe it to the other players on the team to give yourself the best chance to win, if that’s Drake Maye and decisively shows that in camp.
Listen to the full segment!