Drake Maye made his debut with the New England Patriots on Thursday night during a preseason matchup against the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium, albeit for a brief period. The rookie quarterback replaced starter Jacoby Brissett during the team’s second offensive series and managed to complete 2 of 3 pass attempts for 19 yards, with short completions to running backs Antonio Gibson and Kevin Harris.
Coach Jerod Mayo confirmed that the plan was always to have Maye on the field for just one series, emphasizing that the focus would shift to Bailey Zappe and Joe Milton later in the game. “Get him in there for one series, turn it into the Zappe and Milton show,” Mayo stated. He indicated that Maye would have plenty of opportunities to play against other teams before the regular season begins.
Post-game, Maye expressed his enthusiasm about playing in front of fans for the first time, describing it as “awesome.” He acknowledged that he felt some nerves, which is typical for a 21-year-old making his NFL debut, but he regarded those nerves as a positive. “If you’re not nervous for something, it doesn’t mean anything to you,” he said. “Once you get that first snap you settle in.”
Although the Patriots picked up a first down during Maye’s only drive, it faced challenges, including a false start penalty. Maye completed a crucial pass to Gibson on a third-and-12 situation, helping the team maintain momentum. However, his first deep throw to Jalen Reagor was too high and fell incomplete. The drive ultimately stalled after Gibson slipped on a handoff and Maye’s subsequent pass gained limited yards.
This outing marked the first time Maye played behind New England’s starting offensive line, which consisted of Vederian Lowe, Sidy Sow, David Andrews, Mike Onwenu, and Chukwuma Okorafor. After Maye’s drive, the starters were taken out, leading to his departure as well. Bailey Zappe took over for Maye, playing throughout the remainder of the first half and into the third quarter, while Joe Milton III ended the game by scoring a 38-yard touchdown.
Fans at Gillette Stadium expressed their disappointment over Maye’s limited playing time, booing when Zappe’s name was announced and chanting “We Want Maye.” Despite the frustration from fans, Maye remained unfazed by his seven-play appearance, highlighting that he has been receiving ample practice reps that he aims to translate into game performance.
With joint practices scheduled against the Eagles this week, Maye anticipates more meaningful practice opportunities. While it was a brief showing, his presence signifies a promising future for the Patriots franchise, and fans are eager to see more of him in action.