Despite three years of tutelage under future Hall of Famer Tom Brady and a chance at a full-time gig next season with another squad, New England Patriots quarterback Ryan Mallett is trying to keep things in perspective.
The 26-year-old is in a contract year, and the preseason has historically been the only chance a backup for the Pats has had to show prospective suitors their skillset.
That continues to be the case for Mallett this season, as Brady enters his 15th year, but the former Arkansas standout is taking things in stride and trying not to worry about the future just yet.
“I live day to day, man. I’m happy where I’m at right now,” he said, via Mike Reiss of ESPN Boston. “I’m having a blast. I’m on a great team, I have a great organization around me. My teammates are awesome.
“I’m just trying to do whatever I can to help the team every day.”
Mallett told Reiss the game has slowed down for him, a critical benchmark for any young player (especially a quarterback). That, combined with his strong arm, should make for an interesting offseason in 2015, particularly since New England has seemingly secured their future at the position with the selection of Jimmy Garoppolo in this year’s draft.
For now, Mallett, who’s only played in four regular season games since joining the Patriots, is just looking forward to the uptick in live action he’ll see the next few weeks.
“I’m very excited about the opportunity to be able to play a lot,” he said. “I haven’t really gotten too many chances during the regular season because I have a pretty good guy in front of me. Any time I get to play, I look forward to it.”
