FOXBORO, Mass. — Drake Maye struggled for the second consecutive padded practice at Gillette Stadium on Tuesday. The New England Patriots rookie quarterback has not yet popped in pads after he showed flashes with a few highlight-reel throws the first four days.
But Maye was not alone Tuesday. And he hasn’t been alone.
Maye played behind a second-string offensive line consisting of, from left to right, Calvin Anderson, Michael Jordan, Antonio Mafi, Layden Robinson and Vederian Lowe. Mafi, specifically, worked with the second unit because center David Andrews was absent and Nick Leverett filled in on Jacoby Brissett’s first team.
The Patriots have rotated receivers throughout six practices so it’s not as if Maye is drawing any short straws with pass-catchers. But it’s still fair to question how Maye’s struggles have been hindered by those around him.
The most notable stretch came during the offense’s third 11-on-11 period — the main team period. Maye went 3-4 with six run plays in the prior 10 full-team reps. Fine start, right? Sure. But then the wheels feel off for Maye and his group.
The rookie quarterback went 1-for-6. He struggled with his accuracy, as evidenced by Maye’s high rollout throw intended for a leaping Ja’Lynn Polk. It seemed he struggled to diagnose the pressure, too. The defense had an upper hand on the offense again. But those in front of Maye didn’t do much to help either.
Mafi opened with two low snaps. It clearly impacted Maye’s first pass to tight end Mitchell Wilcox as the timing on the quick read was thrown off from the jump. Maye targeted rookie Javon Baker on the second rep, another incompletion which followed a low snap. On the third play of the period, running back Kevin Harris fumbled after another snap gave Maye some trouble on the handoff. Patriots cornerback Marco Wilson picked it up for what would have been a scoop-and-score.
It didn’t improve.
Wilson then broke up a Maye pass intended for Baker. JaMycal Hasty was stuffed on a run play where a pile resulted in Kayshon Boutte’s helmet popping off while linebacker Joe Giles-Harris and the defense barked at the offense.
It was so bad the Patriots gave Maye the opportunity to reset with the third-stringers before Joe Milton III came on. Maye hit wide receiver Kawaan Baker on an out-breaking route on the first snap. But the damage was done.
Maye finished the day 8-for-15 including a 5-for-11 stretch during 11-on-11s. He was 9-for-16 during a 1-on-1 portion, per the Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed. He was 3-for-11 during competitive periods Monday. That’s not a good two-day sample size, but it is a mere two-day sample size.
Maye’s teammates have lauded the rookie signal-caller for his work ethic and physical tools. While speaking with the media after Tuesday’s practice, Patriots wide receiver Jalen Reagor called Maye a “student of the game.” Reagor said there’s going to come a time when Maye earns more opportunities, and when that time comes he’s going to show why he was drafted third overall.
It’s clear Maye is not in a neck-and-neck competition with the veteran Brissett — Brissett is continuing to distance himself. It’s also fair to wonder whether he might even be a step or two behind where decision-makers expected.
But Maye, who was drafted because of his potential rather than his polish, was always going to need time. It shouldn’t be a surprise that, through merely six practices including just two padded sessions, New England’s long-term solution isn’t ready yet. And it might take even longer if those around him further hinder the transition.
