On Thursday, Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt met with the media for the first time since his head coach confirmed on Wednesday that rookie Drake Maye was taking over as starting quarterback ahead of their Week 6 game against the Houston Texans (4-1).
As of only two weeks ago, Van Pelt was on the record saying that he felt it was best for Maye’s development to continue sitting behind nine-year veteran Jacoby Brissett. But after five weeks of watching their starting quarterback lead arguably the worst offense in the NFL, head coach Jerod Mayo solely made the decision to make a change under center.
Van Pelt told the media on Thursday that he’s in full support of Mayo’s call at QB.
“We all sat together and gave our opinions on what we thought, and ultimately it’s his decision, and, you know, I’m on board with that decision,” said Van Pelt. “I’m excited to see Drake play, it’s his time. I think he’s prepared. He’s done a great job on the practice field getting ready for this moment.”
Van Pelt said his change in tune towards Maye seeing the field was a combination of both the obvious struggles of the offense, as well as the development Maye has shown on the practice field.
“I think it’s a combination of a couple things, really,” said Van Pelt. “Offensively, we’re not where we want to be from a production standpoint, especially in the pass game. I think that leads to some of that decision, and also the fact that - to see his growth and development over those weeks of practice and what he’s put on the practice field. I think two of those combined.”
Van Pelt insinuated that this change could directly result in more wins for the team moving forward.
“You know, we’re close,” said Van Pelt. “We’re a couple plays away from being 3-2 and feeling a lot better about where we are right now. But the reality of it is, we’re not. We’re 1-4, and you know, at this point we need to find something to get us a chance to win on Sunday, and we thought with Drake’s development over the first part of the season on the practice field, that he was ready to step in and take over.”
In making this move, the Patriots will now have a quarterback - in theory - much more capable of creating plays by utilizing his athleticism, both by tucking and running as well as making difficult throws in-or-out of the pocket. Patriots QBs have been sacked a league-high 19 times through the first five weeks of the season, with 17 of those sacks happening with Brissett under center.
Maye was often compared to Bills QB Josh Allen during the 2024 NFL Draft process, a player well-known for his ability to make highlight plays while under pressure.
Van Pelt said that Maye showed this big-play-ability both in the preseason as well as at the college level, and that showing this type of creativity at the pro level will come naturally to him.
“I think that’s gonna be natural for him,” said Van Pelt. “Knowing when there is a crease, he can maybe sneak through and use his legs. I think that comes natural for those guys. You know, obviously our timing and rhythm’s a big part of what we need to get done based on [Houston’s] ability to push the passer, but there will be opportunities where there will be an opportunity for him to use his legs and hopefully pick up yards and protect himself.”
On top of that athleticism, Van Pelt said that Maye has been “like a sponge” when it comes to his understanding of the position, saying that Maye has never been more prepared than he is now, specifically mentioning a blitz period from practice on Wednesday where the rookie went 6 for 6 on pass attempts.
“He stands back there and watches everything,” said Van Pelt. “He’s very involved in the meetings, very vocal in the meetings as well. His knowledge has grown over the course of the last - since we’ve had him since the draft.”
Throughout his supportive words for Maye, Van Pelt made sure to give flowers to Brissett - a player he previously coached in Cleveland during the 2022 season.
“Not to take anything away from Jacoby - I’m so proud of him and what he’s accomplished,” said Van Pelt. “You know, it may not be great statistically, but the stuff he does for this offense has been unbelievable the first five weeks this season. So you know, he’s a great teammate.”
Given the preexisting relationship he has with Brissett, Van Pelt said it made the conversation he had with his former starting QB about his benching even harder.
“It’s hard anytime you make a quarterback change,” said Van Pelt. “You’re in that room with those guys, we’re all so connected in there.
“Obviously our relationship from Cleveland, there’s a lot of weight there, and it’s tough to see a guy go out there and do what he’s done - again, taking those hits and making plays when he has the opportunity, and saying ‘Hey, we’re gonna hand the ball off to the young guy.’ It’s tough.”
Regardless of how tough this decision was for this coaching staff, it was clear that something needed to change with this offense.
We’ll see on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET if this change under center leads to more points on the scoreboard.