Drake Maye was not exactly spectacular in his first career start for the Patriots, but the rookie signal-caller certainly flashed his potential in New England’s loss to the Houston Texans in Week 6.
The No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft took accountability for the three turnovers (two interceptions and a lost fumble) he had in the loss — especially coming out of half-time trailing 14-7.
“After the touchdown, felt like kind of we were back in it. Coming out of halftime, there goes another turnover in the red zone,” Maye told reporters, per team-provided transcript. “Just kept hurting ourselves, and in this league, these teams are too good to do that. But some great stuff to watch on film. Sometimes out there it was a lot of fun on offense.
“That’s what I told the guys in the huddle at the end. We got the guys in the huddle, we just got to make a few more plays and play complementary football. That’s what coach Mayo will just preach: play complementary football, and we didn’t do that today.”
As expected, Maye had some nerves at the start of the game and was thankful for his Patriots teammates, especially one in particular, for settling him down.
“I was a little amped up at the start for sure. I think the biggest thing is having those guys around me,” Maye said. “They were great, pumping me up, coaches defense. The guys around me were great trying to settle me down, and Jacoby (Brissett) was a big part of that; slowed me down on the sideline pregame.”
Not only did Brissett help Maye settle down before the game started, but the veteran quarterback also kept encouraging his replacement throughout the contest.
“He was saying, ‘We’re good. We’re good.’ (The Texans) went down (to the red zone), they scored on the first possession, so it puts a little pressure on you,” Maye said. “I think it’s always a little pressure when they score first and make it 7-0. So just settled down and trusted the guys around me.”