Drake Maye praises Patriots coaches for evolution since college

FOXBORO — A bright spot (perhaps the only bright spot) for the Patriots over the last two weeks has been the play and overall growth of rookie quarterback Drake Maye.

Maye has lost his first two career NFL starts, but he’s playing at a historic level. Only two quarterbacks since the AFL-NFL merger have passed for 500-plus yards and five-plus touchdowns in their first two career starts: Maye and Dan Marino.

Only two QBs since the merger have 500+ Pass Yards and 5+ Pass TD through 2 career starts

Dan Marino
Drake Maye pic.twitter.com/g6iLNlLykn

— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) October 20, 2024

ESPN analyst and former Lions quarterback Dan Orlovsky posted a video to Twitter on Wednesday praising the development of Maye’s base and footwork.

Really like 3 specific things from Maye pic.twitter.com/aNuTaIZC1Y

— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) October 23, 2024

“Yeah, I think it’s a credit to the coaches here, AVP (offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt) and T.C. (quarterbacks coach T.C. McCartney). They’ve really hammered it home,” Maye said. “At the same time, I think some things where some different drops that I’m taking now weren’t really asked of me in college. Some of these five-step under-center play actions, we didn’t do much of those. So it probably really didn’t give me a chance to show off some of the footwork stuff. There’s two ways to look at it.

“But, credit to these guys here. I think we’re still working on things throughout the week. T.C. puts it up on the board, little things throughout the week that I keep in mind. I feel comfortable back there. Maybe scrambled into one sack late in the game. I told Big Mike (Onwenu) that was my fault. But, other than that, I feel good back there. I feel like I’m seeing it well. Just I’m going to continue to get some reps.”

Van Pelt has received fair criticism for his offensive play-calling, but someone needs to be praised for Maye’s play, and it comes down to Van Pelt or McCartney.

Maye was encouraged by the Patriots’ ability to start fast against the Jaguars. They got off to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter before the wheels fell off.

“I think, you know, put two good drives together. My first start, I think it was a three-and-out, and then the second one was maybe another three-and-out,” Maye said. “So, started fast and felt more comfortable under center that first snap than the first time, and got the nerves out of me. So, I’m feeling more comfortable back there, more comfortable in the huddle, play calls and little things like that, little things that you don’t see on the field. Felt more comfortable in the huddle, felt like I was bringing some more energy to the start of the game.

“From there, I think protecting the football, that’s the big thing. Then, you turn the ball over and got some plays which I wish I had back, make better throws, even in the last game that it could maybe be a difference in the ball game. At the same time, I think we did some good things, just didn’t sustain it long enough and put drives together, especially in that second quarter.”

Maye turned the ball over three times in his first start against the Texans. He didn’t throw any interceptions or lose any fumbles but was charted for three turnover-worthy plays against the Jaguars, getting lucky that potential interceptions were dropped or broken up by offensive players.