Drake Maye Watch: Patriots QB Shows Encouraging Signs Vs. Eagles

FOXBORO, Mass. — New England Patriots rookie Drake Maye took a step in the right direction against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium on Thursday night.

Maye took over for Patriots starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett (3-for-7, 17 yards, interception) at the start of the second quarter and played four series over the course of the second and third quarters. Joe Milton III entered the game at the start of the fourth quarter.

Maye completed five of his first seven pass attempts and led consecutive first-half scoring drives before he concluded 6-for-11 for 47 yards. All 47 of his passing yards came in the first half. Maye added four rushes for 15 yards with one rushing touchdown.

It was an encouraging performance for the rookie signal-caller, though it came against Philadelphia’s depth defenders. Eagles defensive tackles Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter, among others, didn’t wreck New England’s offensive line like it did during joint practice.

Maye played behind an offensive line which featured both first- and second-stringers. He initially took the field behind left tackle Vederian Lowe, left guard Sidy Sow, center Nick Leverett, right guard Mike Onwenu and right tackle Chukwuma Okorafor. Leverett replaced center David Andrews as the only difference from the starting group. Maye then played his next three series behind Lowe, Sow, Leverett, right guard Layden Robinson and right tackle Caedan Wallace. They were better groups than what Maye had throughout training camp.

After a struggle-filled first quarter for Brissett and the starting offense, which averaged 2.6 yards per play in the opening period, Maye provided the Patriots a lift. He led the Patriots on consecutive scoring drives and went into the half up 10-3.

Arguably Maye’s nicest play of the night came on his first third-down conversion. Maye hit rookie Javon Baker for a 12-yard gain on third-and-five. Baker looked to be Maye’s third read on the play, the signal-caller surveying the defense with his first two reads, resetting his feet and delivering a strike to Baker. He showed anticipation on the throw, too.

Maye’s offense sputtered after Antonio Gibson was stuffed for no gain on second-and-8. But Joey Slye got the Patriots on the board with a 51-yard field goal, which capped Maye’s first drive.

Maye got the Patriots into the red zone on his second drive, covering 42 yards on the first five plays. He connected with running back JaMycal Hasty for a 23-yard screen on third-and-11. Hasty got each of the next two rushing attempts before Maye keep a zone read and took it in for his first touchdown in a Patriots uniform. Maye showed an easy mobility and athleticism on the four-yard touchdown run.

The second half didn’t go as swimmingly for Maye’s offense.

Center Nick Leverett and Maye combined for a fumbled snap at the start of Maye’s third possession. Baker dropped a well-placed deep ball on third-and-10 shortly after, marking Maye’s first three-and-out of the game. It was a tough play for Baker, but he’s shown the ability to make highlight-reel catches in training camp practices thus far. Baker’s reaction to it indicated he thought he should have caught it as well, and it likely would have made for Maye’s third straight scoring drive.

Given Maye hasn’t aired it out much in training camp, the 50-something-yard throw would have been a noteworthy completion.

His final possession was reminiscent of many Patriots training camp practices. He was pressured consistently before Lowe allowed outside linebacker Nolan Smith to light Maye up with a third-down sack. It marked the final play of the game for Maye.