How can Drake Maye help the Patriots offense?

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – In the New England Patriots’ perfect world, the decision to turn to rookie quarterback Drake Maye probably would have been a little longer coming.

But the offense, led by veteran Jacoby Brissett at the helm, is headed in the wrong direction after being competitive in the first two games of the season – a 16-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals and a 23-20 loss in the Overtime against the Seattle Seahawks. From Weeks 3 to 5, the Patriots averaged 8.7 offensive points per game – the lowest average in the NFL.

So now is the time to pick the No. 3 pick in the draft, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. First-year head coach Jerod Mayo has apparently made the calculation that the Patriots (1-4) have the infrastructure to support Maye – who team sources said was always expected to play at some point this season – despite existing deficiencies on the offensive line and the wide receiver.

This calculation involves risk.

One reason the Patriots didn’t bring Maye in right away, even though Mayo felt Maye had caught up with Brissett by the end of training camp, is the combination of his age and college experience, according to team sources. Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said it was better for Maye to sit both before the season and then reiterated that at the start of the season.

Maye was the youngest and least experienced of the NFL’s six first-round quarterbacks. He turned 22 on August 30 and played 26 games at the University of North Carolina.

No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, who turns 23 in November, started 33 games in college. No. 2 pick Jayden Daniels, who turns 24 in December, has made 55 collegiate starts.

Part of the Patriots’ development plan for Maye was to initially have him learn behind Brissett – the nine-year veteran who coaches and teammates have described as a consummate professional – while also preparing Maye to eventually become the No. 1 pick by giving him about 30 % of first team reps in training. Mayo had acknowledged that it was a unique arrangement since starters typically get about 95% of the reps.

Maye made his NFL debut in the final round following a blowout loss to the Jets in Week 3. He went 4-of-8 for 22 yards with 2 carries for 12 yards and was sacked twice.

Van Pelt viewed Maye’s drive as a building block.

“I thought it was a great experience for him to be there, especially at a night game in New York,” Van Pelt said after the game. “I thought it was a great start for him. Definitely he had to clean up some things in his game, but he made some throws, made some plays with his legs. I am encouraged with his future.”

Van Pelt described Maye’s footwork under pressure as “up and down.”

“There were a few things that needed to be corrected and that’s usually the case when you’re out for the first time in a live game – it can change your foot and you fall behind,” he said. “Everything is still a work in progress; he’ll be able to take it to the next level.”

How might things look different if Maye starts at quarterback in the future?

In college, Maye was 618 of 952 (64.9%) for 8,018 yards, with 63 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 26 games.

Patriots veteran linebacker Raekwon McMillan called Maye a “blend of the modern quarterback” due to his ability to move in the pocket and drop off different platforms. McMillan called the 6-foot-1, 220-pound quarterback an “incredible athlete.” Brissett, on the other hand, is more of a traditional pocket passer.

Maye’s mobility could be the key. In 2022-23, he had 953 rushing yards on scrambles, which was the second-most in the FBS, behind only Daniels. During that same period, he helped score 23 touchdowns under pressure, the second-most in the FBS behind Williams (25).

Maye might be forced to fight often. In their 1-4 start, the Patriots offensive line has posted a pass block win rate of 41.6%, which ranks last in the NFL. In-game statisticians recorded 49 hits against Brissett, although some of those were due to Brissett holding on to the ball too long or receivers having difficulty spotting him.

Since ESPN began tracking QB pressures in 2009, only the 2022 Bears (47.3%) have allowed more pressures in five games in a season than this year’s Patriots (46.8%).

Pressure was something Maye was familiar with in two seasons at North Carolina. According to ESPN Research, UNC allowed 409 pressures in 2022-23, the most of any FBS school.

May will be tested early as the first defense he faces, the Houston Texans, is the fourth-best in the NFL with a 50% pass rush win rate. Next on the schedule are the Jaguars (in London), Jets, Titans and Bears.

Mayo hinted at the change Monday, saying he felt the Patriots had solidified their offensive line after four weeks of mixing and matching and also added a key receiver with the return of Kendrick Bourne. The Patriots had started a different offensive line in each of the first five games, but appear poised to reintroduce the same line for the second straight game as arguably their best blocker, Mike Onwenu, moved from right tackle to right guard.

Mayo admitted Monday that things are likely to be “a little bumpy” for any rookie quarterback, including Maye.

“Our mentality is how do we develop him and get the people around him to develop and move forward from there,” he said.