The moment the Patriots drafted Drake Maye in the first round (#3 overall), Jerod Mayo knew it would be a consistent topic of conversation. That chatter has only gotten louder as the offense has stumbled and bumbled through most of the first four games behind veteran stop-gap Jacoby Brissett.
"...It is fine," he told WEEI's The Greg Hill Show Monday. "And I would say we've anticipated, like I anticipated, that we're going to take our bumps and lumps of, you know, whether it's through the media, whether it's through, you know, even my own mom asked me, 'Hey, what's going on?'"
Mayo laughed when he said that, but it's becoming the first and often primary topic as fans and media search for hope in what's beginning to look like another lost season. But despite some mixed signals with his messaging over the last month, the first-year head coach is sticking with the 31-year-old Brissett.
"100% our starter," he reiterated on a conference call shortly after his radio appearance.
"He's done a good job doing what we've asked," he added. "Are there a lot of plays that we could do a better job with? Absolutely. But I would never question his toughness, dependability, his leadership style for this team, and that's what we need right now."
That's not to say things can't change, and eventually, they will if Drake Maye continues to make strides on the practice field and in the meeting room. Mayo noted, "We always reserve the right to do something else," whether at quarterback or wherever else. Obviously, in not making a move ASAP, the Pats and Mayo aren't providing the fix some are looking for, the hope at the end of this multi-year storm that has seen the degradation of a once mighty and proud organization into NFL also-ran and given another year or two of futility, a laughingstock.
"I understand the frustration with the fans," said Mayo. "What we're doing is what we think is best. What I'm doing is what I think is best for the Patriots today and also in the future. And that's how I have to look at these things. (The media/fans) look(s) at these on a week-to-week basis. I think there's a combination of multiple things that I have to deal with."
Mayo would not reveal his reasons for keeping Maye on the bench. A look at the tape of the rookie's showing at MetLife Stadium two Thursdays ago should be enough to convince the levelheaded that he's not quite ready for prime time and why rush, especially as the specter of Mac Jones' failure lurks around every corner and down every hallway at One Patriot Place (whether it should or not is a different question, but I can tell you, it's in their heads).
Of course, Maye is just one snap away from being the guy. Brissett got up slowly on several occasions Sunday in San Francisco. Next Gen Stats had the pressure rate at 53.8%, the second highest of the season, behind only the 56.5% at the Jets. The ball was coming out of Brissett's hand on an average of 2.6 seconds, yet he was under siege. The Niners blitzed far more often than they do typically, just as Gang Green did. Why? Because the Pats can't handle it, and until they show they're capable of it, expect other teams to adopt a similar philosophy. So, what would Maye look like in those circumstances?
"I would say he is still a rookie quarterback, and for us to now start to put all this pressure on him, like, if you know, dealing in hypotheticals - that's what we're doing - we're dealing in hypothetical," said Mayo when asked his level of confidence in Maye if he has to play. "Look, he's a rookie. He's gonna take his bumps and bruises along the way as well, and so when you guys just throw him out there, yeah, I understand that part of it, but at the same time, I mean, it's not like a knight coming in, saving the world just all of a sudden, it's still going to be these conversations."
Brissett showed some signs of cracking versus the 49ers. The pick-6 was a blatant staredown of receiver Tyquan Thornton. Though there was pressure and a tremendous catch by linebacker Fred Warner (not too many guys actually can make that play), it was the kind of mistake the veteran hadn't made in previous weeks. The inclination might be to speed up the plan this staff has constantly referenced when it comes to Maye, and, at times, Mayo has publicly wavered before doubling down on Brissett (it's happened three straight weeks now).
"The plan for this team won't be executed until we become a competitive team on a day after day, game after game basis, and so we're going through transition. ... We got to get better. And we will."
Even if, for now, that means keeping Maye on the sidelines, no matter what Mayo's mom or you want.