Two former Patriots took notice of Drake Maye’s remarkable way to end his first preseason…
After a few drives, Julian Edelman then took to social media to share his thoughts.
“Maye looking real composed out there,” the three-time Super Bowl champion posted to X, formerly known as Twitter.
The 21-year-old indeed looked composed against the Commanders despite Washington sitting 34 players and playing most of its backups. At one point, Maye lost his shoe after Sidy Sow stepped on him and still completed the 14-yard pass.
Maye finished the 20-10 loss going 13-of-20 for 126 yards and a touchdown and was able to fend off some ugly offensive line play throughout the game. The third-overall pick would have had two touchdowns had it not been for an illegal formation call after he connected with K.J. Osborn on a 48-yard pass.
It’s unclear if Maye did enough the past three games — though he was limited in the Patriots’ first preseason matchup — to earn the QB1 role. Coach Jerod Mayo admitted Maye has outplayed veteran Jacoby Brissett during his weekly appearance on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show” on Monday morning.
“This is a true competition. It wasn’t fluff or anything like that. It’s a true competition, and I would say at this current point, Drake has outplayed Jacoby,” Mayo said. “Now in saying that, we have to take in the full body of work going all the way back to the spring and the beginning of training camp. We’ll see where we end up, but those are the conversations that will happen here over the next couple of days.”
Brissett also injured his shoulder against Washington when he was brought down hard to the turf. The extent of the injury is unknown.
The Patriots have been working diligently with Maye all summer in trying to develop and improve him. Brissett figured to be the starter after New England signed him to a one-year deal in the offseason, but Maye has shown he’s capable of playing under pressure and said he’s ready to play in Week 1 should he be called upon.
“I think I would feel ready,” Maye told reporters in Washington after the game. “I think I’m ready for whatever this football team asks of me. Ready to get out there and try to help us beat the Bengals Week 1.”
