Drake Maye made his NFL debut late in the Patriots' loss to the Jets

BOSTON — Drake Maye made his NFL debut for the Patriots on Thursday night, replacing veteran Jacoby Brissett late in the game. 24:3 defeat against the New York JetsCould permanent change be coming to New England?

Head coach Jerod Mayo declined to comment after the game.

“I don't know. We talk about competing for a job every week. We'll meet as a coaching staff and see how it goes,” Mayo said Thursday night.

Chances are the Patriots will go right back to Brissett, but Mayo and his team have a week and a half to decide before the Patriots play the San Francisco 49ers in Week 4.

Drake Maye replaces Jacoby Brissett in the final period of the loss against the Jets

After Brissett was sacked five times and managed just 98 yards against the New York defense, Maye entered the game with 4:24 left in the fourth quarter when the Patriots were trailing 24-3. His first NFL pass was nearly intercepted when he televised a throw to tight end Austin Hooper and Michael Carter nearly jumped the route. After a handoff to Antonio Gibson on second down yielded seven yards, Maye was brutally tackled to the ground by Jamien Sherwood and had to hold on for one yard.

Maye was sacked on a first-down dropback after the two-minute warning. He used his legs and scrambled 11 yards on a fourth-and-8 attempt. After three consecutive incomplete passes, he connected with DeMario Douglas for 15 yards to keep the drive alive and bring the Patriots to the New York 7-yard line.

But the drive – and the game – ended when Maye was sacked on his first attempt. In his professional debut, he completed four of his eight passes for 22 yards, while rushing for 12 yards on two attempts.

Mayo said it was his decision to start Maye on Thursday night. Although he was concerned about the state of the offensive line, which allowed seven sacks and 15 QB hits that night, he saw an opportunity to get the rookie some game practice.

“Good opportunity for him to go out with the ones and put together some drives. He moved the ball,” Mayo said of Maye. “We'll look at the film and evaluate him.”

Maye said he was ready when his number was called and was excited for the chance to make some plays.

“Just get ready to go out there. No regrets, go out there and have fun,” he said. “My first pass was deflected, so I'm glad it hit the ground.”

Maye was happy to get a few first downs on his 16 plays, but added that he “can't stand stupid sacks.”

Jacoby Brissett reacts to Drake Mayes' game against the Jets

Brissett was asked if he would be replaced by Maye, and he was as professional as ever. When asked if he thought the starting spot was still his, Brissett replied, “Of course.”

“I don't make personnel decisions. My job is to go out there and prepare for the game, play good football and do my best,” he said.

Brissett was asked why Mayo was hesitant about his future starting quarterback, but declined to say much.

“I'm not going to overreact to something I haven't heard,” he said.

Maye praised Brissett for his fighting spirit throughout Thursday's game.

“He's been getting up every time. He made some great shots tonight,” Maye said of Brissett. “I'm rooting for him. He's a great teammate.”

Will this accelerate New England's plan for Drake Maye?

The Patriots had planned to take it slow with their potential franchise quarterback, but now they may have to throw him in at the deep end since the offense was so lifeless with Brissett at quarterback. The offensive line's woes, however, could keep Maye on the bench a little longer.

The Patriots drafted Maye as their third pick out of North Carolina in April, and he showed great improvement during training camp and the preseason. He didn't play much in New England's season opener, completing two of his three passes for 19 yards. But in the second preseason game, he was on the field longer, completing six of his 11 passes for 47 yards while adding a four-yard touchdown run with a nice read option.

In New England's final preseason game against the Washington Commanders, Maye completed 13 of 20 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown pass. He finished his preseason 21 of 34 passes for 192 yards, a touchdown pass and a touchdown run.

While Brissett surpassed Maye as the team's starting quarterback in Week 1, Mayo confirmed last week that Maye was getting about 30 percent of the time with New England's starters in practice. Mayo said backup players typically only get about five percent of the time with the starters, but the extended time with the team's starters was part of Maye's development plan.

Now we'll see if that plan is accelerated to breathe some life into New England's offense, or if concerns about the offensive line will keep Maye in a safe spot on the sidelines.