Jerod Mayo Doesn’t Know Patriots Starter, But Confidence In Drake Maye Cleary Increased

Jerod Mayo's confidence in New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye is growing.

"He's absolutely getting better," Mayo told reporters at Gillette Stadium on Monday morning. "He made some good throws and I would say his teammates can see that confidence growing, as well."

This isn't to say Mayo hasn't been high on the third overall pick in recent weeks. Mayo has talked about Maye's work ethic and improvement.

But the first-year head coach also was at the front of the line when it came to brake-pumping. He did so immediately after Maye was drafted third overall. He did the same when the Patriots entered training camp four weeks ago when he labeled veteran Jacoby Brissett as New England's starter "at that point."

Those sentiments don't seem to be as common lately.

Listening to Mayo recently, especially after Maye's performance against the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday, it's feels like he's easing off the brakes. He reopened the door on the quarterback competition when it felt like it was shut. He said he doesn't know who will be the Patriots starter in Cincinnati, and indicated he doesn't know when it will be decided.

"We still don't know right now," Mayo said. "We have another preseason game and then a week after that. When I know, I'll let you know."

Maybe it's all just lip service. Maybe it's Mayo's way of trying to keep the competition alive between Brissett and Maye. The North Carolina product hasn't played behind the starting offensive line in practice, after all. And Mayo agrees it is "very important" for Maye to mix in with the starting group. He's received just six preseason snaps behind the "starters" thus far.

But if you are to listen Mayo and compare some of his comments from what he was offering in recent weeks, it's clear the head coach is more confident. And that might just mean Maye really is closing the gap to become the Patriots starter.