“`html
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The arrival of Drake Maye in New England marks a significant transformation for the Patriots, as the team has shifted focus following the exits of both long-time coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Mac Jones during the offseason.
Maye has stepped up as the starting quarterback after replacing veteran Jacoby Brissett, showcasing glimpses of why the franchise selected him with the third overall pick in the previous April’s draft. Despite the team’s record of 3-10 and a 2-6 start under Maye, both coaches and players believe he is a solid foundation for future team development.
“I’m just trying to take it one day at a time, one game at a time,” Maye expressed this week. “I’m focused on learning from my mistakes, whether they are turnovers or taking unnecessary sacks, to refine my gameplay moving forward. That’s the most important part.”
Recently, Maye turned in his strongest performance of the season, completing 80% of his passes (24 out of 30) for a total of 238 yards and a touchdown, even though the Patriots fell just short in a 25-24 defeat to Indianapolis. His athleticism was also on display with a notable 41-yard run, contributing to his impressive average of 9.1 yards per carry, the highest among quarterbacks competing in at least nine games.
Although Maye did throw an interception from a deflected pass, he demonstrated a solid grasp of offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt’s system, distributing the ball effectively to six different receivers and consistently moving into the red zone. However, the Patriots struggled to capitalize, scoring only two touchdowns on six opportunities, with a disappointing yield inside the 10-yard line, only converting once into a TD. This challenge has placed them towards the bottom of the league in red zone efficiency, ranking 30th in scoring touchdowns within the opponent’s 20-yard line.
Maye emphasized the necessity to improve in this area over the remaining four games. “It’s frustrating to leave points on the field,” he admitted. “We must convert our drives inside the red zone into touchdowns. That’s essential for winning games in this league.”
Coach Jerod Mayo acknowledged that while Maye has room to grow, it is also crucial that his teammates, particularly on the offensive line, increase their level of support. He highlighted the need for players like rookie left guard Layden Robinson, rookie tackle Caedan Wallace, and 2022 first-round pick Cole Strange, who is returning from a knee injury, to step up.
“We need to see what guys like Layden and Cole can contribute before the season wraps up,” Mayo stated. “We also need to evaluate our receivers moving forward. It’s a balancing act between wanting immediate success and understanding that we need to know what our roster looks like.”
Robinson, aware of the urgency to improve, expressed his commitment to support Maye, who he believes has developed significantly as a leader since taking over as the starting quarterback. “He brings an innate confidence, and you can see how he commands the huddle,” Robinson explained. “He just tells us to get to work, and we all support him wholeheartedly.”
Despite the team’s struggles, Van Pelt reflected positively on the decision to initially keep Maye on the bench. “Absolutely no regrets. We had a plan in place, and it’s proving to be a sound decision a few weeks in,” Van Pelt noted. “It’s important for us to develop him correctly. This is a long-term process, not simply a sprint to the end of the season.”
“We’re focused on cultivating a franchise quarterback, and it’s essential that we handle his development in a thoughtful manner, and I believe we are achieving that,” he concluded.
“`
