EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Whenever Jerod Mayo believes it’s time, Drake Maye says he’ll be ready.
The Patriots rookie quarterback made his NFL debut in Thursday night’s 24-3 loss to the New York Jets. The No. 3 overall pick relieved Jacoby Brissett, coming into the game with 4:24 remaining, and played one drive before the game ended. Maye completed 4-of-8 passes for 22 yards while adding 12 rushing yards on two carries.
After the game, Mayo left the possibility open that the Patriots could make a change at quarterback. When asked about potentially starting, the rookie said he feels ready.
“Yeah, I think that’s kind of what I’m doing week in and week out. Be ready when my name is called,” Maye said. “When my number is called – go out there and try to make some plays. I’ve been preparing like I’m the starter. At the same time, I’ve been there for Jacoby. He battled tonight. What a – he kept getting up every time. Kept jogging off. Encouraging the guys on the sideline. He made some great throws tonight.”
It wasn’t the ideal scenario, but Maye persevered. At the time, the Patriots lost left guard Michael Jordan and left tackle Caedan Wallace, who started in place of starters Sidy Sow and Vederian Lowe. During Maye’s drive, the Patriots had their third-string left tackle (Demontrey Jacobs) and third-string guard (Zach Thomas) in the game.
In nine dropbacks, Maye was hit three times, including two sacks.
“I think it felt pretty good – to get a hit under my belt,” Maye said. “You always wonder, your first NFL hit – it happened in the preseason – but these are the ones that count. Kind of good to get that out of way. I’ll feel good tomorrow.”
Before going into the game, Maye said that Mayo relayed a simple message.
“Just be smart with the football. Don’t do anything stupid. And just get out of the game,” Maye said. “At the same time, just enjoy it. Coach Mayo’s always about, ‘It’s your moment. Go try to make some plays.’”
In that one drive, the Patriots ran 16 plays and gained 46 yards. With Maye under center, it was the team’s longest drive. With Brissett, the Patriots only scoring drive was an 8-play, 16-yard drive, aided by 50 yards of Jets penalties. Brissett’s longest drive, yards-wise, was 35 yards.
After the game, Mayo was asked if the team would contemplate starting Maye in Week 4 against the San Francisco 49ers.
“I don’t know,” Mayo said. “We talk about it every single week. You’re competing for a job. So, we’ll get together as a coaching staff and see where it goes.”
If that happens, Maye says he’ll be ready after getting his feet wet on Thursday night.
“Obviously, for the first time, you don’t want to be out there in a blowout loss. But at the same time, just wanted to go out there and try to make some plays and have some fun,” Maye said. “Good chance to watch my first action ever. Felt a little nervous going out there, but what a night – with the crowd, atmosphere to get my first game under my belt and my first action.”
