Patriots HC: Drake Maye Taking 30% of Starting Reps in Practice Despite QB2 Status

Adam WellsSeptember 13, 2024

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Even though Jacoby Brissett is going to start games for the New England Patriots for the foreseeable future, the coaching staff is making sure Drake Maye gets reps with the first-team offense in practice.

Head coach Jerod Mayo told reporters on Friday that Maye is getting around 30 percent of the starting reps in practices as part of the team’s developmental plan for the rookie quarterback.

Mayo was asked the question after CBS Sports’ Evan Washburn reported on Thursday that the Patriots were giving Maye a significant portion of first-team reps in practice.

A typical starting quarterback will receive 95 percent of the practice reps, according to Mayo.

Even though Maye had an impressive preseason, so much so that Mayo even admitted he outplayed Brissett, the Patriots opened the season with the rookie as their No. 2 quarterback.

While there is no official timetable for when Maye might move into the starting role, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport noted on Sunday it could be “several weeks at least” because the Patriots want to ensure their offensive line and skill-position players are capable of easing the burden on him.

Ian Rapoport @RapSheetThe Insiders on @NFLGameDay with @MikeGarafolo and @TomPelissero: When will the #Patriots put Drake Maye on the field? Plans for the #49ers, plus WR Ricky Pearsall could be back Week 5; The #Cowboys and Dak Prescott remain in contact about a contract, plus CeeDee Lamb is jacked. pic.twitter.com/HTYunaDpSG

New England’s victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1 certainly helps to quiet down any immediate calls for Maye to step in. Brissett wasn’t great in that game, finishing 15-of-24 for 121 yards, but the offense did enough to hold on for a 16-10 win.

If the defense can continue to play at a high level, it will make things significantly easier for whoever is playing quarterback.

Maye will eventually take over and his upside looks enormous after a promising preseason. He completed 61.8 percent of his attempts for 192 yards and one touchdown in three games.

The Patriots understand where Maye is at in his development and seem to have a good plan in place to get him where he needs to be when his number gets called.