LANDOVER, Md. — Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett played just one series in Sunday night’s 20-10 loss to the Commanders at FedEx Field, paving the way for rookie Drake Maye to step in for his longest appearance of the preseason.
Brissett, who started each of New England’s preseason games, took eight snaps against Washington, completing 2 of his 4 pass attempts for 19 yards. On Brissett’s sixth snap, Commanders defensive end KJ Henry clobbered him because of an apparent miscommunication involving multiple offensive linemen.
After the play, Brissett grimaced and looked shaken up, but he finished the drive with two more snaps. The Patriots officially listed Brissett as questionable to return.
Coach Jerod Mayo said after the game that the 31-year-old Brissett would have been able to return to action if necessary, and that the plan all along was for him to only play “a series or two” before turning to Maye.
When Maye took over midway through the first quarter, he continued to show promise. Among the highlights were his third snap, when he scrambled 17 yards up the middle to convert a third and 14; his fifth snap, when he stepped into a throw under pressure to connect with rookie wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk for a 29-yard gain; and his 10th snap, when he stayed patient and found receiver DeMario Douglas for 16 yards to convert another third down.
Over the course of his five drives and 31 snaps, his most of the preseason, Maye looked comfortable operating in the pocket and playing under pressure. But the challenges created by the offensive line almost overshadowed his performance.
Maye finished 13-for-20 passing for 126 yards and a touchdown.
For a team that is maintaining there is an open competition at the quarterback position, Maye’s performance, along with his recent strong practices, should certainly make the decision difficult.
“I think he showed great poise,” Mayo said. “He made plays like he was in control of the offense and did a good job for us.”
But even with the praise for Maye’s growth on the field, Mayo wouldn’t even commit to the fact that Maye would replace an injured Brissett during the regular season — let alone start Week 1.
“I would like to sit here and say 100 percent [Drake would play if Brissett suffered an injury],” Mayo said. “He’s our second-best quarterback on the roster right now.”
So, is that a yes?
“Next question,” Mayo said. “I’m not sure.”
Maye, for his part, said he would feel ready to play Week 1, if asked.
“I’m ready for whatever this football team asks of me,” Maye said. “I’m ready to get out there and try to help us win games.”
Mayo wouldn’t say if his hesitation surrounding playing Maye is related to the offensive line. Henry’s sack was just the start of a poor performance from the offensive line, who committed multiple penalties and struggled against Washington’s backups.
“I think the biggest concern for me, it’s not the X’s and O’s in what they do, but it’s the lack of discipline in what they showed today,” Mayo said. “That’s on all of us. It starts with me.”
On Maye’s very first play of the game, center Nick Leverett snapped the ball low through his hands out of the shotgun. Three plays later, Maye stumbled on a handoff to running back JaMycal Hasty because a Commanders defender pushed Leverett back into him. Two snaps after that, Maye and Leverett fumbled another snap, this time under center.
“When you practice pregame over on the sideline, it’s a little bit different than when someone’s up there right against you,” Maye said.
Later, left guard Sidy Sow stomped on Maye’s foot and took his shoe off. Then, right guard Layden Robinson committed a false start. Then, Chukwuma Okorafor committed an illegal formation penalty. In total, New England’s starting offensive line committed eight penalties during the first half — four of which Washington declined. Okorafor committed so many penalties that an official said, “Once again on No. 77,” when announcing his third illegal formation infraction.
The biggest problem for the Patriots is that these linemen are in contention to start Week 1. Only center David Andrews had the night off. Michael Onwenu will definitely start at either tackle or guard on the right side, while Okorafor, Sow, and Robinson are angling for roles.
Sow, who suffered an ankle injury in the second quarter, left the stadium in a walking boot and could miss time, though Mayo did not have an update on his status.
The Patriots have plenty to sort out in the two weeks before the season opener in Cincinnati, starting with finalizing their 53-man roster by Tuesday afternoon.
As for the starting quarterback competition? Mayo initially said he expected to reach a decision Monday night, but delivered a reminder Sunday that he reserves the right to change his mind.
“We get in at 3 o’clock in the morning, so we’ll see,” he said.
Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com. Follow her on X @nicolecyang.