The present may not look pretty for the New England Patriots but Drake Maye offered hope for a brighter future with an impressive first start on Sunday.
Rookie quarterback Maye finished 20-of-33 for 243 yards and three touchdowns against the Houston Texans after taking over from veteran Jacoby Brissett for the Week 6 game at Gillette Stadium.
It wasn’t enough to stave off a defeat as the Texans ran out 41-21 victors but Maye certainly looked the part, also adding five rushes for 38 yards.
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said of the number three draft pick: “It’s definitely encouraging. From a team-wide perspective right now, we let him down.”
Maye makes the move to extend the play!
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/abd0kk3shJ
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 13, 2024
Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne was more effusive, even drawing comparisons between Maye and Kansas City Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes.
Bourne said: “I think he did phenomenal. Him getting hit, he kept playing and didn’t seem too rattled. He stuck to what he does, and I think that’s huge, because obviously we’re struggling on the line as everybody knows in a sense.
“The way he was running the ball was impressive. His athleticism and ability to throw on the run; it’s how he runs with his body – he’s running left but facing forward to throw the ball. I think those traits are what you see around the league, Patrick Mahomes, these new-age quarterbacks are throwing the ball on the run and extending plays.
“He’s a natural leader. He has [an] aura, and that’s important in football. He’s that guy. You can tell when you see him.”
The defeat saw the Patriots slump to 1-5 but they will get the chance to improve that record when they face the equally bad Jacksonville Jaguars in London next Sunday.
