Drake Maye’s dramatic second-year leap has come mostly through his work as a passer: he’s jumped in every statistical throwing category.
His overall production as a runner, however, is down – and that may be at least partly by design.
Will that change, with the postseason on the horizon?
“I don't get to make those decisions,” A wry Mike Vrabel said, ahead of Sunday’s Ravens game. “I don't have a remote control to say scramble or throw. And I just say that by continuing to develop that part of his game, truthfully. Being able to remain a passer and keep his eyes down the field, but then also, if it's not, then be able to go, get what you can get and take care of yourself.
“So, those are the choices that he makes. Those are the decisions that the quarterback gets to make. And I think he's made some good ones. And again, hopefully he can continue to do that, progress and try to remain a thrower. Guys can come into his vision and we can get some of those things done. And then if they don't, then he'll have to get what he can get, get down or get out.”
There has been a clear emphasis on Maye remaining a passer as long as possible to extend plays – a skillset both he and Vrabel have spoken about all season – and it’s a priority to keep him healthy and in games. He missed time in three games as a rookie starter due to concussions or concussion evaluation.
It’s not like he’s a dog minding an electric fence in the pocket. He’s had 85 rushing attempts through 14 games – more than his 54 through 12 last year. But his success rate has dropped from almost 65% in 2024 to 43.5% this season. He’s averaging about half the yards per attempt he did last year.
Again, that’s probably precautionary and smart. He still slides funny. There’s no denying that. He rolled like a log in the middle of the field last week.
What’s curious is whether McDaniels will draw up more designed runs and options for him, as Maye and his crew found success that way in the red zone against Buffalo. The QB said they’ve been trying those runs before, but executed it last week.
“It's something that makes it even, down there, when it gets tight. It's 11-on-11, and it's something that you can gain an extra hat versus me just handing it off and watching. So, it's something you can use, but also, you’ve got to be smart,” Maye said, Wednesday.
If you’re craving more explosive runs from the quarterback, they’re probably going to come from however the coaching staff has drawn them up – even against man-coverage, as the Patriots expect to see in Baltimore Sunday.
That’s not just because the Ravens’ run defense has begun to look more like that of the Patriots’ in October. It’s because what’s leveled him up in this second year has been his ability to process, and especially, to find the deep pass for a nail-in-the-coffin home run.
A more likely wrinkle for the offense, rather than QB scrambles, may be the boring, old, check down…or a greater focus on the quick game. Maye has changed his instinctive behavior of letting loose and running to secure a first down. He can now be mobile, and evasive from pressure and rushers, but look downfield and see most of his opportunities. But when the deep ball gets taken away, can he similarly switch up what the defense expects?
As the great Busta Rhymes once said, if you fall down and bump your head, you’ve got to switch it on ‘em, (re: ‘Gimme Some More,’ circa 1998).
Maye might have to go a little “Flipmode” if other teams will copy Buffalo’s defensive approach, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to turn into a track meet.