Why Patriots’ Drake Maye Made NFL Debut Vs. Jets

Drake Maye’s NFL debut appeared to be further down the line when Jerod Mayo decided Jacoby Brissett would be the New England Patriots’ starting quarterback.

That assessment changed on Thursday night when Maye entered in relief late in the fourth quarter of a 24-3 loss to the New York Jets. The rookie quarterback got a well-rounded introduction to the NFL: he took a few big hits, he handed the ball off, he completed passes and used his legs. Maye went 4-of-8 through the air for 22 yards and got sacked twice.

Mayo, who confirmed it was his decision to put Maye in the game, opened up after the loss as to why this night at MetLife Stadium made sense to insert the third overall pick.

“I just thought it was a good opportunity for him to go out there with the ones and put a few drives together,” Mayo told reporters, per team-provided video. “He moved the ball. We’ll watch the film and evaluate.

“It definitely was something that I thought of personally, but at the same time I thought it was too good of an opportunity for him to go out there and get some experience.”

It’s yet to be seen if Maye will pick up where he left off and start for the Patriots in Week 4 on the road against the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 29.