Drake Maye Watch: Patriots QB Bounces Back From ‘Rookie Mistake’

FOXBORO, Mass. — Drake Maye didn’t see the red.

The New England Patriots rookie quarterback came off his first read over the middle and attempted a check down to the flat where he knew running back Rhamondre Stevenson would be.

And Stevenson was. But so was Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon, famous for his red sleeves under his uniform. Judon intercepted Maye’s pass and took it for a pick-six. It immediately followed a fumbled a snap.

“Just a rookie mistake, no pun intended,” Maye said after practice. “In this league, when you’re going to throw it to the running backs, you got to make sure you look out there before you throw it.”

But Maye’s bounce back from that interception — his only in three training camp practices — was notable. Patriots veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett expressed how Maye showed his professionalism by rebounding from adversity.

Maye threw a completion to wide receiver Jalen Reagor on the next snap, the final rep of that 11-on-11 period. Maye then was back behind center for 11-on-11s against New England third-stringers. He went 3-for-3 and scrambled once.

“Yeah, that’s part of it,” Maye said. “You can’t ride the ups and downs. Every play is a new play and can’t be too hard on myself — sometimes I get too hard on myself, especially throwing my first interception. It’s how you bounce back in this league and I’m trying to learn that.”

Maye finished the day 17-for-23 in 29 reps with the aforementioned interception. He followed Brissett in competitive periods, as he has in prior practices. Brissett went 14-for-20 in 23 reps with one sack. It marked the first time this summer Maye saw more reps than Brissett, but that was largely due to Maye’s third-team reps against the third-string defense.

It wasn’t the best start for Maye as he had his first snap of 7-on-7s batted down at the line of scrimmage. That’s uncommon. He responded in that 7-on-7 portion, though, and went 5-for-6. He hit Patriots tight end Hunter Henry for three completions in six snaps, including when he found the veteran on a well-timed crosser. Henry gave Maye a high-five following that initial 7-on-7 period.

Maye’s first run on 11-on-11s, much like Brissett’s, was a win for the defense. Maye went 2-for-4 in those six reps with his two completions coming on a bubble screen to K.J. Osborn and a short completion to Stevenson, who was working out of the slot. A majority of Maye’s passes during Day 2 were check downs and short routes, and much was the same during Day 3.

Well, besides the nicest play of the afternoon.

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During the second portion of 11-on-11s, Maye connected with rookie wideout Ja’Lynn Polk. Maye pump-faked and unleashed a deep ball to Polk, who raced down the sideline with cornerback Azizi Hearn in coverage. The ball dropped into Polk’s hands just before safety Jaylinn Hawkins could break it up.

Henry sprinted over to Polk to congratulate the rookie after a play the offense badly needed. It was a sign of what the unit could be.

Maye followed up that snap with an off-balance, sidearm throw to tight end Austin Hooper. It was a similar rollout to the one Maye had during Day 1, which again showcased his comfortability with extending plays and making plays on the move.

Maye concluded his day with three completions to depth receiver David Wallis, Polk and running back Ja’Mycal Hasty.

Maye and the Patriots will be back on the practice fields at Gillette Stadium on Sunday. New England is expected to throw on pads Monday.