Jerod Mayo told the media on Tuesday to expect all four quarterbacks to play in Thursday night’s preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers.
That means fans will see offensive series from nine-year veteran and presumptive Week 1 starter Jacoby Brissett, third overall pick Drake Maye, 193rd overall pick Joe Milton, and third-year quarterback Bailey Zappe.
“Look, everyone who is healthy enough to play in the game will play in the game,” said Mayo. “That’s more than you’ve ever gotten before.”
Mayo is referencing, of course, the previous regime’s reluctance to share information on playing time, regardless of the game being played in the preseason or regular season.
But when asked how much Maye would play on Thursday, he retreated back to the Bill Belichick playbook.
“Not sure - now you’re going too far,” Mayo said, followed by a chuckle.
This was not the only time he went to the Belichick well during Tuesday’s media session. More on that later.
Regardless of how many series Maye will get, fans will finally have the ability to lay eyes on the highly anticipated rookie quarterback in live game action.
“So as of today, that’s the plan, to have all of those guys out there playing,” said Mayo. “Once again, it goes back to competing.
“Yesterday, you saw the live tackling period and things like that - that I think is very important. You don’t want the first time these guys have to get hit or hit someone else to be in the preseason game. So we’ve got to see what these guys can do with live action.”
It’s not just the forthcoming nature of Mayo with information that rings as different from previous years at Patriots training camp. 27-year-old offensive tackle Calvin Anderson said the approach of Mayo at this camp has been “special” compared to the other four training camps he’s been a part of during his professional career (three camps in Denver, one in New England).
“I’ve said this before, but I really, really like the approach that Mayo has taken to the team,” said Anderson. “Focusing on relationships, making sure we have a cohesive culture. It makes a real big difference, I think, in how you feel playing next to the guys. It’s exciting.
“I’ve really appreciated it. I don’t know what it’s like to go from being a player to being a coach. I know he was a coach for a while before he became a head coach, but from the outside looking in, I feel like he’s done a really, really good job transitioning into that role. And he stepped into that role with confidence, and that’s what you need when you’re gonna step into any role. I think we all feel that, and I think we all benefit from his experience being on the field, and being a coach.”
Deatrich Wise Jr. is entering his eighth season as a pro, all of which have been with the Patriots. In his first training camp with Mayo as head coach, he said he has appreciated Mayo’s approach of keeping things physical.
“The way camp has been these last couple days, these last 10 days, it’s been really good in getting us ready for the season,” said Wise. “The harder the practices, the better we are when we go out there for the games.
“When days like this happen, we’re so full of energy and so full of stamina that these seem like light days, you know? So we want days like that so when it’s time to get into the season, we’re ready to go, ready to get out there.”
So where did the Belichickian background of Mayo come back to the surface on Tuesday?
His comments on the Brandon Aiyuk trade rumors.
“I know what all of you guys want to know,” Mayo said to open his media availability. “One thing I did learn from Bill [Belichick] is I just don’t talk about players on other teams. So let me just go ahead and say that now.”
When asked if he could confirm that there were ongoing talks between the Patriots and 49ers about a potential trade for the 2023 second team All-Pro receiver, he said that would be a better question for vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf.
“Look, I’ll be honest with you, that’s more of an Eliot [Wolf] question,” said Mayo. “Right now, I’m just focused on the guys out here, the New England Patriots.”
The Patriots will have a walk-through on Wednesday to prepare for Thursday’s preseason opener at Gillette Stadium.