How Drake Maye Reacted To Being Named Patriots’ Starter Vs. Texans
Maye admitted there will be nerves ahead of his first NFL start
The toughest part for New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye might have been the wait. But now, that wait is over.
The Patriots officially announced Wednesday that Maye will take over as the team’s starting quarterback in place of the struggling Jacoby Brissett.
First-year Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo revealed he told the two quarterbacks about the change Monday night. And now Maye gets ready to do what three other quarterbacks from his draft class already did with his first career NFL start coming in just a matter of days against the Houston Texans.
“I think it’s a great opportunity,” Maye told reporters, per team-provided transcript. “Something you dream of, getting your first start in the NFL. It’ll be exciting to get out there with the guys. Take advantage of having the full week to get prepared, trying to put best foot forward and help this team win.”
Maye already made his NFL debut when he relieved Brissett during garbage time in a lopsided Week 3 loss to the New York Jets. Maye completed 4-of-8 passes for 22 yards while running twice for 12 yards in mop-up duty.
But seeing game action already won’t kick out all the nerves for Maye once he takes the field Sunday at Gillette Stadium with the home crowd looking to see if he lives up to the expectations of being the No. 3 overall pick and next franchise quarterback.
“I think I’ll go out there and try to make some plays,” Maye said. “I think the biggest thing, I was telling some of those guys, it’s probably going to be a little nervous at the beginning. I think once we settle down, we have a chance to move the football and just have fun out there. It goes back to having fun going out there. That’s what this game is about. Don’t make it too big, or the spotlight too big. Just go out there with those guys that we’ve been battling for three months since training camp, go out there and try to make some plays.”
