On Wednesday morning, Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo confirmed reports that rookie quarterback Drake Maye was being promoted to starting quarterback for his team’s Week 6 game against the Houston Texans (4-1).
Shortly after Mayo’s scheduled press conference, his new QB1 stepped to the podium to meet with the media for the first time with his new title.
“I think it's a great opportunity,” said Maye. “It’s something you dream of, getting your first start in the NFL. I'm really excited to get out there with the guys, take advantage of having the full week to get prepared, and try to put my best foot forward to help the team win.”
After showing flashes of brilliance against both the Eagles and Commanders during the preseason, Maye was put on ice the first two weeks of the regular season. He then made an appearance as the quarterback for the final series of the game in a 24-3 blowout loss against the Jets, before another two weeks of DNPs.
But after five weeks of watching an offense rank 31st in yards per game (250.8) and points per game (12.4), along with dead last in passing yards per game (119.4) and sacks allowed (19), Mayo decided that he had seen enough of nine-year veteran Jacoby Brissett under center.
Mayo told the media on Wednesday that he believes Maye gives his team the best chance to win, both in the short and long term.
While Maye admits to warning his teammates about the inevitable nerves that will come with his first career start, he’s also not trying to make the moment any bigger than it is.
“I think I'll go out there and try to make some plays,” said Maye. “I think the biggest thing - I was telling some of those guys, it's probably going to be a little nervous at the beginning. I think once we settle down, we have a chance to move the football and just have fun out there. It goes back to having fun going out there. That's what this game is about.
“Don't make it too big, or the spotlight too big. Just go out there with those guys that we've been battling for three months since training camp, go out there and try to make some plays.”
Throughout the 2024 NFL Draft process, one that ended with the North Carolina product being selected number three overall, Maye’s playstyle was often compared to that of Bills quarterback Josh Allen. With his size and ability to scramble, combined with a fearlessness to make the difficult throw or take an extra hit for a few extra yards, his tape while a member of the Tar Heels did somewhat mirror the two-time Pro Bowler from Buffalo.
Now it’s time to see if that tenacity can translate at the professional level.
While the big-play-ability is in his arsenal, Maye plans to ease into the early part of Sunday’s game against Houston.
“I think early on, just try to take what they give me, and find completions,” said Maye. “I think that's the biggest thing for a young quarterback going in there. Then from there, just don't try to hunt up off-platform, off-play, off-schedule throws. I think just feel it out and play football.
“I think the biggest thing sometimes is you try to get outside the pocket when you don't need to, and little things like that. So just play within the pocket, trust my feet, and go out there and play.”
In his one series of action this season, Maye was 4 of 8 for 22 yards, to go along with 2 rushes for 12 yards. He helped the offense move the ball 46 yards on 16 plays over four and a half minutes to close out the game. Maye was able to get the ball all the way to the Jets 7-yard line, which was New England’s first and only time in the red zone in Week 3.
It’s clear that Mayo believes that this type of ball movement will happen with more frequency with Maye under center moving forward.
Mayo told reporters, “Going forward, I think now - you know, Drake gives us the best chance to win now, and going forward. He’s been getting better every single week.
“As I said before, at the end of training camp, he actually was trending, you know, at a very high rate. And that has continued through the early part of the season. So, this was solely my decision to make this choice.”
While some fans and media remain frustrated that this change at QB didn’t happen weeks ago, Maye believes that his five weeks spent as the backup were beneficial to his development, crediting a lot of what he’s learned to Brissett.
“I think, really, what comes with learning the NFL quarterback, and what comes with the title,” said Maye when asked what he’s learned the most through five weeks. “Handling leadership, learning from Jacoby, what he's done, he's a great leader. He's one of our biggest leaders on the team.”
Outside of those intangibles, Maye also said he feels more comfortable operationally.
“The verbiage of calling the huddles - I just had my first walk-through and felt pretty good with the verbiage there,” said Maye. “Other than that, I'm excited for these guys. I think it's an opportunity against a good football team to go out there and prove people wrong.”
Proving doubters wrong against an opponent in Houston who was the sexy pick to win the AFC before this season is undoubtedly a tall task.
And as I mentioned before - the Patriots are currently the worst pass blocking team in the NFL.
But when you draft a QB at #3, he’s eventually going to have to play.
Let’s see what the kid’s got.