Jerod Mayo’s Patriots -- that still feels weird to say -- took the field for the first time in the preseason opener Thursday night at rainy Gillette Stadium, coming away with a 17-3 win over the Panthers.
While Jacoby Brissett got the start at quarterback, No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye made his New England debut on the second series. But the young gun got just one drive – including one first down on a screen pass prior to a punt – before being banished to the sideline in favor of third-year backup Bailey Zappe, and eventually fellow rookie Joe Milton. Patriots’ fans both in Foxborough and throughout social media were not real happy with the limited action for the future of the franchise.
Still, it was a productive first look at Mayo, Maye and the entirety of the 2024 Patriots.
Beyond Maye’s short-lived professional debut, here are some of the highs and the lows of the 2024 preseason opener.
Thumbs up
Drake Maye – It was only one series and six plays. The first completion was a third-and-long screen for 13 yards to pick up the first down. Maye had another throw that was accurate and on time that hit Jalen Reagor in the hands, but his target couldn’t haul in. His other throw was a check-down on third down that came up short of the sticks. Still, it was a good night. Fans got a quick taste of their new QB, the QB of the not-too-distant future. That QB got a taste of live NFL game action and didn’t look out of place or overwhelmed. Step one in Maye’s development is in the books. And was good enough to build on.
Kayshon Boutte – Lots of receivers have made plays on various days this summer at a crowded, competitive receiver position. The second-year player Boutte has been one of those guys. But he also took his playmaking to the game field against Carolina with game highs of three catches and 53 yards in the first half to kick start his case for sticking around on the roster. Boutte faces a lot of competition and maybe an uphill battle, but he did his best to stand out Thursday night even if he failed to hold onto a couple other targets later in the game.
David Wallis – The undrafted rookie wide receiver out of D-III Randolph Macon has had his issues catching the ball in training camp – both on passes and kicks. On the game field Wallis not only caught a punt in the second quarter against Carolina, but he returned the ball 23 yards to the Panthers 31-yard line to set up the first scoring drive of the night. He added a 14-yard return later. Undersized receivers with something to prove have earned looks in New England thanks to preseason punt returns in the past. Just sayin’.
Defense – From start to finish in the preseason opener the New England defense was making plays. Deatrich Wise helped the starters get off the field on the opening possession with a third-down sack. There was pressure on the quarterback, mostly solid coverage and stout run defense. Carolina was held to just 90 yards and one third down conversation (1 for 10) through three quarters. The Panthers offense probably isn’t good and didn’t play its top guys. The Patriots defense might be pretty good and played most of its guys. And it showed. Still, it was something positive to note and build on.
Rhamondre Stevenson – The Patriots want to lean on the run game this year, as both Mayo and coordinator Alex Van Pelt have said. Stevenson, with his big new contract extension done this summer, took his first and only carry of the night for 11 yards. If he averages 11 yards per carry during the regular season New England is indeed gonna have a run game it can lean on. Seriously, though, given the way the running game has struggled on the practice field it was good to see Stevenson’s nice run, even if it was only one run.
Joe Milton – The rookie QB was fourth off the bench at QB but may have given the home crowd the most joy. He had a crazy scramble for 13 yards in which he probably ran four times that far overall. He also connected on a pretty double-move, 38-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to undrafted rookie wide receiver JaQuae Jackson. Milton has been a fan favorite at training camp thanks to his physical tools and backflips. He’s gonna be an even more popular guy after his NFL preseason debut
Thumbs down
Jerod Mayo/Alex Van Pelt/Ben McAdoo – Whoever decided to play Maye just one series probably had a good reason for it. Might even share that reason with media and fans. That doesn’t mean we have to like it or even believe it. Maye is the future. He needs all the reps he can get to get ready to play in the regular season as fast as possible. Questionable line in front of him? That’s what he’ll deal with when he gets on a real game field, and it won’t be against a bad team’s backups. Want to “showcase Zappe” to try to trade him? Good luck with that. Fans wanted to see Maye play. Maye needs to play more not less. There’s no other way to look at it from this perspective, regardless of how Mayo and Co. try to explain the bad decision away.
Jacoby Brissett – New England’s journeyman veteran starter (for now) took the opening possession in the rain. Aside from a nice 11-yard run for Stevenson off the right side, it wasn’t much of series. Brissett missed Mitchell Wilcox high and behind the tight end, deflecting off his wet hands. Later, Brissett made a nice read with time from his line to come back to Tyquan Thornton deep down the right sideline only to significantly underthrow his speedy third-year target. Add in a throwaway and Brissett had three incompletions for his night’s work. Not exactly the way to put major concerns and questions about the passing attack to bed. Oh well, it’s just one series in one preseason game.
Penalties – New England has had way too many penalties on the training camp practice field this summer and that trend continued on the preseason game field. Maye’s first action was set back on a false start by right tackle Chukwuma Okorafor. Zappe’s first series included a false start and then an intentional grounding call on the veteran QB. There was a delay of game penalty in the third quarter. The Patriots just aren’t good and talented enough to be as sloppy as they’ve been this summer. They have a couple more weeks of practice and preseason action to get it cleaned up or it’s going to be a big problem that will contribute to losing football.