Throughout the entire football season, Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai will be joining The Greg Hill Show as a part of WEEI’s Patriots Friday.
And on this Friday’s visit, the six-year veteran out of the University of Hawaii gave an interesting answer on the quarterback battle happening at 1 Patriot Place in Foxborough.
Courtney Cox asked Tavai, “Why don’t you throw this kid [Drake Maye] in there and get the reps as soon as possible?” This question came after a set-up where she pointed to his poise throughout the preseason and training camp.
“I always give people their flowers,” said Tavai. “But you know, Drake’s gonna have to prove himself, too.
“You know, it’s his job to make sure that, you know, everybody was hating on him or doubting him - he’s gotta be the one to, you know, prove them wrong. So, the way that I see him working, and the way that I see him approaching each day, I think that, you know, as the weeks go on, I think that he’ll have a great opportunity to, you know, prove those people wrong.”
Later in the show, Courtney posited that this answer might be a hint at what we will ultimately be served up during Week 1 in Cincinnati.
“I did think it was interesting that Jahlani said that, you know, [Maye] has to prove himself,” said Cox. “That, to me, is like a little breadcrumbing that [Jacoby Brissett’s] the guy.
“I’m just sick of hearing people say, ‘You don’t wanna ruin him.’ And I feel like that’s a weak response after coming off of what they did with Mac [Jones]. And I think people are just so sensitive about, you know, ‘Was Mac ruined by Bill?’ Whatever - I don’t believe that, but a lot of people do. And I think they’re taking that excuse into Drake. And everything I have heard is that he is calm, cool and collected, and ready to lead a huddle.”
Three-time Super Bowl champion Matt Light was sitting in with the show for their interview with Tavai. As a former teammate of Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo, he gave some insight into what the rationale at quarterback might be at this moment.
“To your point,” said Light to Courtney, “It’s a situation where you’re never gonna hear the coach say, ‘Oh, I don’t wanna put him out there because we’re afraid he’s going to get hurt.’ Or, ‘I’m not gonna put him out there because I don’t wanna, you know, start him too early.’
“Look, if that guy’s ready to go out there, command the offense, be a leader that we need him [to be], he’s going to be on the field. If not, it’s because he’s not ready to be that guy.”
While the speculation on who will be the Week 1 starter at quarterback will continue to roll along leading up to the Patriots’ final preseason game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday night, Mayo told the media earlier this week that the coaching staff should know the answer to New England’s biggest question by Monday or Tuesday.
“Now, that doesn’t mean I’ll tell you on Monday or Tuesday,” Mayo made sure to add.
So, the debate lives for - at the very least - a few more days.