Does Patriots QB Drake Maye expect to start as a rookie?

New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye sounds eager to compete with veteran Jacoby Brissett for the club's starting job this summer. 

"That’s obviously the goal for myself, and any quarterback coming in the NFL," Maye said during an appearance on the WEEI "Jones and Mego" program, per Karen Guregian of MassLive. "But also, I think it’s a good opportunity to go in there and learn from Jacoby, learn from the older guys, the other vets around there, just put my best foot forward."

Long before the Patriots made Maye the third overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, it was thought that Brissett would serve as a bridge option at the position this coming fall. However, New England head coach Jerod Mayo has said on numerous occasions that "the best player will start" among the two options. 

"If I’m the best guy...I think coach Mayo kind of said that," Maye noted. "The best guy’s going to play. So if that’s me, I’m ready to go. If it’s not, I’m going to prepare like it, and learn as much as I can from the other guys to get ready to do that." 

As of Tuesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Maye tied for sixth among the betting favorites at +1600 odds to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award for the 2024 season. Such information may lead one to believe that Mayo agrees with those who said ahead of the draft that Maye needs to sit and develop as a QB2 or QB3 for a period of time. 

"I think, for me, I just want to earn the respect of the guys, and get to know them first," Maye added about his goals for springtime workouts. "Obviously, all the stuff on the field will come after that. So I’m looking forward to helping the Patriots in any way. Obviously, (starting) is the goal but I’m going to be ready for anything that happens."

Maye understandably is doing well to say only the right things about his playing status months before such a decision will be finalized. One wonders how much pressure, if any, Mayo will receive from ownership to play Maye sooner rather than later, especially if Brissett looks rather ordinary during preseason games.