How Patriots QB Drake Maye Felt After NFL Debut In Week 3 Loss Vs. Jets

The New England Patriots were far from competitive during their Thursday night 24-3 loss to the New York Jets in Week 3, which while horrendous in its respect, did allow for the NFL debut of rookie quarterback Drake Maye at MetLife Stadium.

Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo granted Maye the green light to take the field with 4:24 remaining in the fourth quarter of an inevitable blowout defeat. The 21-year-old’s introduction didn’t spark any last-minute fireworks, however, Maye did complete 4-of-8 passes for 22 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. New England’s third overall selection out of North Carolina, too, endured two sacks, including a WWE-styled body slam from New York linebacker Jamien Sherwood.

“Can’t take stupid sacks,” Maye told reporters postgame, per MassLive’s Mark Daniels.

Maye’s slender first taste of NFL football wasn’t a complete dud. The presumed future franchise quarterback, currently seated to learn under the tutelage of starter Jacoby Brissett, made a notable 16-yard connection on 4th-and-long with wideout Demario Douglas. Maye drove the Patriots from the New England 42-yard line to New York’s 7-yard line, but braced himself for the second and final sack by Jets defensive end Takkarist McKinley, prompting Mayo to allow to clock to run out and hit zero.

Nobody could envision Week 3 taking its catastrophic turn so dramatically — Brissett was sacked five times — however, that didn’t stop Maye from maintaining his mental preparation. Maye didn’t allow the debut jitters or butterflies to overrule the long-awaited experience as an NFL quarterback, and more importantly, felt confident in the sideline support from afar coming from the nine-year veteran in Brissett.

“Just get ready to go out there, (I thought),” Maye told reporters, as seen on WBZ’s postgame coverage. “No regrets, go out there and have some fun. First ball I get to throw gets thrown in the air, I’m glad it hits the ground so just go out there, make some plays and just let loose. … I know (Brissett’s) pulling from me. He’s a great teammate.”