FOXBORO, Mass. — Jerod Mayo wasn’t lying when he said Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye would play in New England’s season opener against the Carolina Panthers.
But it was almost certainly less than Patriots fans had hoped for.
Maye, the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, played just six snaps Thursday night at Gillette Stadium, entering the game on New England’s second offensive series after veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett started the game and played a series of his own.
Maye looked good in the game – as good as one can look in a sample of six snaps. The offense gained 16 yards in those six plays and received one penalty.
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Maye played behind the Patriots’ offensive line, which consists of, from left to right, Vederian Lowe, Sidy Sow, David Andres, Mike Onwenu and Chukwuma Okorafor. This was something new, as Maye had been behind New England’s second offensive line for 11 training camps. Receivers Maye worked with included Ja’Lynn Polk, Jalen Reagor and JuJu Smith-Schuster. Fellow rookie Javon Baker entered the game later.
Maye completed two of his three passes, both of which landed at or behind the line of scrimmage. Maye converted a third-and-12 with a screen pass to Antonio Gibson, who followed a big block by Sow while Andrews was in front. Maye’s second pass went to Kevin Harris on a third-and-11 checkdown. Harris was tackled for six yards and New England punted.
The rookie playmaker showed some awareness before the snap, waving left-to-right to Gibson before a second-and-long handoff. However, Gibson only managed two yards on the ground. Mayes’ incomplete pass came about when he couldn’t make contact with Reagor on first-and-10.
Bailey Zappe took over the position behind center with 5:14 left in the first quarter. Zappe played the rest of the first half and started the second half. Joe Milton III entered the game with four minutes left in the third quarter and played the rest of the half.
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