“I think there are multiple factors that kind of have to go into this decision. One is the total body of work, whether we’re talking about the spring or the entirety of training camp. Now, oftentimes, we forget about just the overall experience that a guy like Jacoby has and which will also be weighed in the decision that we have to make here in the future.
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“But I’m happy with the way those guys are battling it out. And hopefully over the next couple of days, we can name a starter.”
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In preseason games, Maye went 21 of 34 for 192 yards with one touchdown, while Brissett was 5 for 14 for 36 yards and an interception. Maye also had seven rushing attempts for 34 yards with a touchdown.
Brissett started all three games, including the finale Sunday night against the Commanders. On Sunday, he was involved in only eight snaps and took a serious hit to his throwing shoulder in the first quarter.
Mayo said after the game that Brissett could have continued, but the veteran was pulled soon after the hit in favor of Maye, who finished 13 of 20 for 126 yards and a touchdown. Maye also added a 17-yard scamper, a key play on New England’s lone touchdown drive.
“He showed great poise,” Mayo said after the game. “He made plays. He was in control of the offense. He did a good job for us.”
Related: Five winners and five losers in the Patriots’ roster battle after preseason loss to Commanders
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Maye has made a real push to start, a run that appeared to really begin in a preseason loss to the Eagles Aug. 15. The rookie engineered the Patriots’ lone touchdown drive of the night, and after a solid week of practice appeared to build on that against Washington. Despite an occasionally leaky offensive line, Maye responded well, making good decisions and helping set up the offense for success.
“I think he did well,” wide receiver K.J. Osborn said. “He’s coming along. I think he’s been gaining his confidence.”
Asked Monday if he could pinpoint the time when Maye started to outplay Brissett, the coach it has been a gradual process.
“I don’t have a certain time,” Mayo said. “What I will say is there’s a combination. Just becoming more comfortable with the scheme and more comfortable with the players around them. He’s done a good job with that.”
Asked Sunday night if he feels ready to start the opener, Maye responded in the affirmative.
“Yeah, I think I would feel ready,” he said. “I think I’m ready for whatever this football team asks of me and ready to get out there and try to help beat the Bengals Week 1.”
Mayo and de facto general manager Eliot Wolf have been consistent in their cautious approach with Maye. Wolf’s time in Green Bay — where Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love made one start between the two of them in the first five seasons of their careers there — would seem to suggest the Patriots will be inclined to slow-play the development of Maye, regardless of how impressive looks in the preseason.
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And despite Maye’s recent push, there are other things to consider. The offensive line has struggled with protection over the summer, and was flagged 10 times — including eight penalties in the first half alone — in Sunday’s loss. Putting a rookie quarterback behind an inconsistent line could have serious ramifications when it comes to his development.
But in the end, Maye’s recent run of success, combined with the uncertainty around Brissett’s shoulder, could force their hand.
“I think every situation is unique, because I don’t want to fall into this narrative fallacy or anything like that, because you have seen rookie quarterbacks go out there and perform at a high level,” Mayo said.
“I don’t know how the story ends with Drake’s rookie season, but all possibilities are open, and we’ll see what happens with who we name the starter here in the near future.”
…
The Patriots have started the cutdown process.
They officially announced that the following 14 players were released Monday: long snapper Tucker Addington, wide receiver Kawaan Baker, defensive end William Bradley-King, defensive tackle Josiah Bronson, linebacker Steele Chambers, running back Deshaun Fenwick, cornerback Azizi Hearn, offensive tackle Zuri Henry, defensive end Christian McCarroll, tight end La’Michael Pettway, defensive tackle Sam Roberts, center Charles Turner, cornerback Mikey Victor, and tight end Jacob Warren.
The Patriots must get down to the 53-man roster limit by 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Roberts was was with the Patriots the last two seasons, playing in 12 games and starting one. He had seven career tackles. Addington, 27, was with the Patriots for three games in 2022 and with Washington for three games last season.
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Baker struggled to find traction in a crowded receiver room during the spring and summer workouts. The South Alabama product, who was signed in February, flashed positively at times during camp but he had the odds stacked against him when it came to a roster spot.
Chambers, who was claimed off waivers in June, couldn’t break through a crowded depth chart. A former undrafted free agent who signed with the Lions out of Ohio State in May, he did not take any first-team reps during camp.
The 26-year-old Bradley-King spent a portion of last season on the practice squad; he did not play in any regular-season games for the Patriots.
Hearn, 25, spent last season on New England’s practice squad. He had a hard time cracking the defensive back rotation this summer.
Pettway, 27, was signed to the practice squad last year and got some good chances in camp. However, he was surpassed on the depth chart by Jaheim Bell. He could be a practice squad candidate.
Fenwick, a rookie out of Oregon State, had seven carries for 26 yards in the preseason. He could be a practice squad candidate.
Christopher Price can be reached at christopher.price@globe.com. Follow him @cpriceglobe.
