The New England Patriots, who didn’t have to worry about a starting quarterback for two decades, had to worry about inconsistent quarterback play for the past few seasons.

Ever since Tom Brady retired, then subsequently signed and won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England rolled with a combination of Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe, Brian Hoyer and 2015 NFL MVP Cam Newton, who’s now a shell of his prime self.

None of the above post-Brady quarterbacks worked out, so the Patriots were in desperate need of a consistent starter. They went out and signed proven NFL veteran Jacoby Brissett, but also took former North Carolina Tar Heels standout Drake Maye, with the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Several fans are saying Brissett should start, given his impressive touchdown-to-interception ratio and extensive pro experience, while others want the young rookie Maye to start from Day One.

New England head coach Jerod Mayo, a former Patriots player himself, weighed in on the more pro-ready quarterback Tuesday morning:

I love the idea of Maye being thrown into the fire and learning from game experience, but I also agree with Mayo. As solid of a college quarterback Maye was, he has yet to see NFL game action.

I also have no doubt that Maye will see the field multiple times during his rookie year.

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Story originally appeared on Tarheels Wire