NFL News NFL News, Reports and Updates
Mayo, Patriots face QB decision with major implications vs. Bills originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
We’d imagine Jerod Mayo can’t wait for the New England Patriots’ nightmare 2024 season to end. But there’s still one more very important decision the head coach needs to make.
Mayo was asked Monday morning if he’s given any consideration to sitting starting quarterback Drake Maye in the Patriots’ season finale against the Bills on Sunday, given that both teams have nothing to play for and that Buffalo likely will play its backups with the No. 2 seed in the AFC already locked up.
“I would say right now, everything is in consideration,” Mayo told reporters in a video conference. “We’ll see how the week goes.”
That’s an interesting response from Mayo, and it leaves open the possibility that he’d bench Maye in favor of backup Jacoby Brissett — or give third-string rookie Joe Milton III his first NFL snaps.
“It’s absolutely a possibility,” Mayo said when asked if the team could elevate Milton to the active roster this Sunday against Buffalo. “But like I said earlier, all things are still under consideration.”
At 3-13, the Patriots’ season is already lost. But there are two reasons why Mayo’s QB decision is a crucial one.
The first revolves around Maye’s health. The rookie QB suffered a head injury in the first quarter of Saturday’s 40-7 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, and while he returned in the second quarter, the last thing New England wants is for Maye to take more punishment — or worse, suffer a serious injury — in a meaningless preseason finale.
The Patriots have more than enough evidence that Maye is their QB of the future, so keeping him healthy heading into the offseason should be priority No. 1 — even if that means holding him out of the lineup.
The second reason? New England has plenty of motivation to lose Sunday.
The Patriots currently own the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft thanks to the New York Giants’ Week 17 upset of the Indianapolis Colts. If the…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/mayo-patriots-face-qb-decision-165833857.html
Author : NBC Sports Boston
Publish date : 2024-12-30 17:11:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
