FOXBORO – Drake Maye made his debut for the Patriots on Thursday night, but it didn’t last long. But the rookie quarterback got his first taste of action in New England’s exhibition game against the Carolina Panthers at rainy Gillette Stadium.
Maye took over for starter Jacoby Brissett for New England’s second series of the game, and that’s all he’s seen so far in his debut. He was 2-for-3 on his dropbacks for 19 yards and made short completions to Antonio Gibson and Kevin Harris out of the backfield.
The Patriots managed a first down despite a false start on the second play on Maye’s only drive. Maye threw the ball to Gibson on third-and-12, and the back gained enough yards to move the chains and keep the drive alive.
Maye’s first downfield pass of the night was incomplete to Jalen Reagor, as the rookie threw the ball a little too high over the middle of the field for his receiver. The rain didn’t help, but Maye should have thrown the throw at Reagor’s numbers rather than over his head.
The drive ended a few plays later when Gibson slipped on a handoff on second down and failed to gain any yards, and Harris gained only six yards on a dump by Maye on third down. But at least the rookie didn’t force anything on his first drive of the preseason.
Maye’s drive marked the first time he played behind New England’s top offensive line (left to right: Vederian Lowe, Sidy Sow, David Andrews, Mike Onwenu and Chukwuma Okorafor) this summer, as he played with the second unit in practice. Those linemen also sat on the bench after the drive, which, along with the slippery field conditions, likely influenced Jerod Mayo’s decision to keep Maye on the bench.
Bailey Zappe took over for Maye and played the rest of the first half. New England led 7-0 at halftime after a touchdown run by Harris.
Fans at Gillette Stadium weren’t too happy about the third pick playing just one series. They booed when Zappe’s name was called and later chanted “We want Maye!” when the Patriots had the ball. That’s understandable, considering the hype surrounding Maye and his need for some game moments.
But the Patriots have a joint practice this week against the Eagles, so Maye will have some very meaningful workouts to get in this week. Still, with all he means to the future of the Patriots franchise, it would have been nice to see more of Drake Maye in Thursday night’s season opener.
