Mayo Gives Fascinating Insight Into The Brissett-Maye Exercise Rep Split originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Jacoby Brissett is the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots, but the team is still looking for a way to get rookie Drake Maye some valuable practice time.
NBC Sports Boston’s Patriots insider Phil Perry reported before Week 1 that Maye got more reps with the starters in practice than most backup quarterbacks typically get. It’s all part of the Patriots’ development plan for the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo confirmed that in principle Friday morning. He was asked how the team would balance preparing Brissett to be a starter with developing Maye, and whether he envisioned a 70-30 split in reps during practice.
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“That’s definitely true. It’s no secret. We have a quarterback in the wings that has to continue to develop,” Maye told reporters at his press conference. “Normally I would say the starter gets, let’s say, 95 percent of the reps and the backup doesn’t. With this, it’s a little bit different. We had a conversation, how do we — I think the struggle is, how do you prepare your starting quarterback for the game and also continue to develop the guy in the backfield, which is Drake.
“So, it’s a 70-30 split. You’re way off. We’re very deliberate. When we talk about (how) we have a development plan for Drake, that’s part of it. I try not to get too deep into what that plan actually looks like, but he’s (Maye) still taking reps with the starters. He’s also doing well on the (scout) team. He’s doing well and you can see his confidence continue to grow.”
It’s not a bad plan. Maye needs as many reps as possible, and if he can’t get them in games, getting them in practice with the starters is the next best thing. This team needs Maye to be as prepared as possible before he steps on the field in an actual game for the first time. That’s not going to happen if he only gets a handful of meaningful practice reps a week.
Mayo also credited Brissett with understanding the Patriots’ scheme and being a true professional with it. A starter going from 95 percent of reps in practice to 70 percent may not seem like much, but it’s certainly not typical.
“Yeah, from Day 1 I’ve always said he’s a total professional,” Mayo said of Brissett. “I’ve always said he’s a great mentor, not only to Drake, but to the other quarterback in the room in (Joe) Milton. He gets it. Look, he’s a professional. He’s won games in this league. He understands that we took Drake with the No. 3 pick in the draft, and if you look through the windshield, at some point — I don’t know when that time will come — he’s going to have to go out there and play.
“Just seeing the relationship in the quarterback room is special to me. It’s really tough. When we talk about leaving your ego at the door, I would say Jacoby is one of those guys that is egoless. He wants to do what’s best for the team, not for himself. Whether he’s throwing for 150 yards or 350 yards, he’s very consistent and just a true professional.”
It remains to be seen if/when Maye will see the field this season, but the Patriots would seem wise to give him the opportunity to be as prepared as possible when the time comes.
In the meantime, Brissett will look to lead the Patriots to their first 2-0 start since 2019 when they host the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday in Week 2 at Gillette Stadium.
