Is Drake Maye playing tonight? Latest on Patriots QB for preseason game vs Eagles
Drake Maye is the designated franchise quarterback for the New England Patriots in the future and the 2024 preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles might give us an indication if he is capable of carrying such weighty expectations. The quarterback spot was once filled with great distinction by the GOAT, Tom Brady, so fans have extremely high standards when it comes to players in that position.
It is something former MVP Cam Newton and former first-rounder Mac Jones have both failed in. Now, it is Drake Maye's opportunity and he is expected to feature prominently in the preseason game against the Eagles.
That is what one would expect because he is scheduled to be the Patriots' backup behind Jacoby Brissett this season. Now, generally, backups are expected to get more reps in preseason, but last week's match saw Bailey Zappe and Joe Milton take most of the snaps as they battled for the third spot on the roster.
Drake Maye played for only one offensive drive comprising seven snaps, one of which was a penalty. He is in line to see more than that this week against the Eagles as the Patriots turned his workload up a notch even during practice as they look to get him in shape for this regular season and beyond.
As CBS writer, Tyler Sullivan said on CBS:
“I think you'll see him certainly more than one series. Jerod Mayo said yesterday that he will see added reps and if yesterday was any indication they were really giving Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye heavy workloads."
Jerod Mayo could even use this opportunity to have the dress rehearsal for the regular season because there will only be one preseason game left after this. Considering the upheaval in the coaching staff this year along with both the starting and the backup quarterback being new to the Patriots system, both Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye could feature with more prominence.
Sullivan also highlighted the same thing, talking about reduced workload for Zappe and Milton:
"I don't believe that Bailey Zappy or Joe Milton had a meaningful snap in competitive drills. They got in there in the final 90 seconds of the final period, and it was really just handoffs. I don't know if they necessarily even threw a pass. They're getting heavy workloads in this joint practice and I think that's going to translate into the pre-season.”
Patriots HC Jerod Mayo holds his praise for Drake Maye
Jerod Mayo knows something about managing expectations. He is succeeding a future Hall-of-Fame coach in Bill Belichick as the Patriots look to start a new dynasty. He knows firsthand how difficult it will be for Drake Maye to follow in the footsteps of Tom Brady.
The head coach praised the rookie quarterback but did not make any over-the-top remarks, instead opting for the word "steady". He said the player was dedicated and serious and was being rewarded with more reps during the week:
“He’s been steady. I think if I was to say one word, it’s steady. He’s always in the building, always studying. He’s out here trying to get better each and every day. He’ll get more reps this week. If that’s the underlying question, he’ll get more reps this week.”
Jared Mayo was also impressed with Drake Maye being mentally attentive and listening in on the offensive play calls:
“I would also say when he wasn’t in the game, he was still listening to the call, still taking those mental reps, which are very important. I always talk to all the players, if you’re not in there, you should be getting mental reps and going through the checks in your head. He definitely did that.”
The Patriots have a long way to go before they are back at the top of the table again. Their opponents this week, the Eagles, are more likely to be dining at the Super Bowl than them. But with Drake Maye being trained for the future, New England fans are not starved off hope.