In a thrilling showcase of talent, the New England Patriots were able to get a closer look at their No. 3 overall pick, Drake Maye, in action on Thursday night. Maye’s performance in his second preseason outing left fans and coaches alike with a sense of optimism for the future.
After a brief debut that was cut short by rainy conditions in his first game, Maye took the field for a total of four series in the second and third quarters against the Eagles. The rookie quarterback completed 6 of 11 passes for 47 yards and found the end zone on a 4-yard touchdown run late in the first half, accounting for the Patriots’ lone touchdown of the night. His drives were responsible for 10 of New England’s 13 total points in the exhibition loss.
Patriots head coach had high praise for Maye’s performance, stating, “One of the reasons we drafted Drake was, you know, through the interview process you could kind of tell this was an even-keeled guy. I think you guys can probably see it from the stands. This guy doesn’t get too high, doesn’t get too low. He was like that in college, he probably was like that as a kid, and he remains that way now, which is a good thing for a quarterback. Those guys have to maintain their composure and get the call to the huddle and get those guys out the huddle and be ready to go. He’s always been like that in my mind.”
Maye had the opportunity to lead the Patriots’ first-team offense, showcasing his skills without starting center David Andrews. His precision was on display as he connected on a 12-yard pass to wide receiver Javon Baker on third down, setting up the Patriots for a field-goal attempt. On the ensuing drive, Maye faced pressure but remained calm, delivering a 23-yard screen pass to JaMycal Hasty to convert a crucial third-and-long.
Capitalizing on the success of the ground game, Maye made a smart decision on a zone-read play, fooling the Eagles defense by keeping the ball and running untouched into the end zone. His ability to make quick decisions and execute plays effectively garnered praise from fans and analysts alike.
As the Patriots look ahead to the regular season, Maye’s performance in the preseason has provided a glimpse of the potential that he brings to the team. With his poised demeanor and impressive skills on display, the young quarterback has shown that he has what it takes to lead the New England offense to success in the future.
