Drake Maye Promotion Bringing ‘Renewed Energy’ To Patriots

The Patriots are going to roll the dice Sunday, opting to shift their attention toward developing rookie quarterback Drake Maye and choosing to start him against the Houston Texans.

New England’s primary focus this week will be supporting the 22-year-old, but he’s already done work to support the team in his first week of practice.

Maye has given the squad a shot in the arm.

“Drake went out there and performed well overall,” Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said Friday, per team-provided video. “We have to wait and see if it happens during the game, but he’s done a good job. I feel like there’s a renewed sense of energy throughout the team, and now it just comes down to Sunday, going out there and executing.

“… You can feel it, first of all, before you even see anything you can feel the guys are locked in and ready to go. Guys are running back to the huddle, just ready for the next rep, so it’s encouraging.”

The Patriots have been criticized for the decision to start Maye, specifically this week against one of the best defenses in the NFL. New England clearly likes what it has seen out of the young signal-caller, though, and can go a long way toward silencing critics with an energetic performance at Gillette Stadium.