Drake Maye likely won't be the starter for the New England Patriots in Week 1.
With that said, the rookie quarterback turned a corner with consistent performances over the last week of training camp.
His development is the focal point of New England's future and circles around the initiatives of the coaching staff.
"I think that's what we expected," Patriots quarterbacks coach T.C. McCartney told reporters on Thursday, per team-provided video. "He's a young kid. His first exposure in training camp in the NFL. We expected him to get better and better. As you get better, your confidence grows. I think we expected this. He's right on track."
Footwork continues to be the area of emphasis in Maye's development as the Patriots commit time to sharpening his fundamentals.
"For Drake, the biggest thing, like any quarterback ... tying his feet to his eyes," McCartney explained. "If your feet are right and your eyes are right, you have a really good chance. He's super talented. If we can get those two things right, the ball's gonna come out where it's supposed to."
With more playing time, Maye showed flashes of his potential against the Philadelphia Eagles. He completed six passes for 48 yards and scored a rushing touchdown. McCartney's favorite play came on a third-down conversion to Patriots rookie wideout Javon Baker on an in-breaking route.
"Very calm, in control," McCartney assessed. "When he comes off, he can tell me exactly what he sees, which is very important. That was really good."
Maye's growth continues in a gradual process as the Patriots present their best plan to maximize his impact for years to come.
"Drake's really sharp," McCartney said. "You guys know that. You guys have talked to him. He picks things up really fast. It's been a lot of fun to watch him."
