Drake Maye isn’t letting the fact that he wasn’t named the Patriots’ Week 1 starter get him down.
The rookie quarterback told reporters Thursday that he “wouldn’t say disappointed” when asked for his reaction to the news but noted that “obviously I want to play.”
The Patriots named Jacoby Brissett as the starter for their Week 1 matchup with the Bengals, which at the beginning of training camp seemed like the most likely outcome as the Pats hoped to give Maye time to develop.
The No. 3 overall pick had played well in camp and during the preseason, which included a four-yard touchdown run against the Eagles and 126 yards passing with a touchdown on 13 completions in the final preseason game of the year against the Commanders.
At the end of the day, Maye didn’t feel like there was much else he could have given to earn the starter job.
“No, think I left it all out there,” Maye said, per NBC Sports Boston. “I have no regrets coming back. This is how it worked out.
“I’m still one play away, so I’ve just got to be ready for all circumstances. I’m here to help Jacoby and keep advising the quarterback room. Nothing’s gonna change; I’m still rooting for him and cheering for him.”
Brissett started his career in New England in 2016, getting two starts that season while Tom Brady had been suspended.
Since then his career has taken him to Indianapolis, Miami, Cleveland and Washington D.C.
“It’s been a lot of work. A lot of long days and long nights — the journey to get to this point,” Brissett said, according to ESPN. “I’m grateful for this opportunity, but I’m also excited for it.”
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said that the organization was “100 percent behind Jacoby.”
