FOXBOROUGH, Ma. — Patriots quarterback Drake Maye had a day to recollect. He hung out with Jayden Daniels, reunited with outdated pal Sam Hartman, frolicked with Jon Bon Jovi, signed autographs for each child he crossed paths with, and even appeared slightly small when he stood toe-to-toe with Celtics ahead Jayson Tatum.
Oh, and in addition, he placed on a terrific aerial show in opposition to the Washington Commanders’ first-string protection of their joint follow on Wednesday.
It is believed to be his greatest day of coaching camp so far, and a transparent indicator that the previous No. 3 total decide has constructed the boldness and understanding to run new playcaller Josh McDaniels’ offense easily.
Here is a smattering of proof. Maye …
- Averted stress and threw with dynamite accuracy off-platform earlier than a would-be hit to Demario Douglas for what would have been a stable achieve.
- Used a misleading play pretend to utterly idiot the Commanders linebackers into stopping the run, leaving Hunter Henry large open between the hashes for an excellent achieve.
- Appeared off Commanders defenders on his drop again earlier than hitting Austin Hooper on an over route for a would-be first down and extra.
- Continued his streak of lengthy back-shoulder throws, hitting rising receiver Kayshon Boutte for a landing because of his excellent placement.
- Once more had nice placement on a wheel route bucket throw to rookie TreVeyon Henderson within the again proper nook of the top zone, however Henderson could not fairly reel it in over his shoulder.
- Scored on the very subsequent play, once more evading stress and hitting Mack Hollins on the again proper pylon for a landing.
There was extra — quite a few anticipatory throws the place solely his receivers might catch the ball, a few different performs the place Maye received the ball out despite cross rush stress, and a pair of off-schedule dashing performs the place Maye both was flushed out of the pocket or did not have his main reads open so he took off together with his legs (as soon as for a landing). There was even a play the place working again Rhamondre Stevenson was shocked by A-gap stress and Maye knew to do away with the ball and never tackle contact.
In whole, I counted two off-target throws from Maye, not together with an interception in red-zone staff drills. Maye fired a bullet cross for Douglas that received tipped up within the air by Bobby Wagner and fell proper into Mike Sainristil’s palms ultimately zone. Maye thinks he might have accomplished a greater job manipulating Wagner by shifting him off his spot together with his eyes.
“I might have appeared him a special approach, and he barely received a hand out,” Maye stated after follow. “I attempted to throw it with some velocity down there within the purple zone to hopefully not have tip balls, however an excellent play by him.”
Regardless of the unlucky decide, which then grew to become a instructing level that ought to assist him into the season, that is enchancment. And overlook about enchancment from his rookie yr — it is enchancment from earlier this summer time when Maye had some inconsistent days throwing the ball.
“It appeared like some soccer on the market in opposition to a special staff. And it felt good to type of get our operation accomplished in opposition to someone else,” Maye stated. “And we did some no huddle, I assumed we went properly. So, it was good for us to study from it, watch it, and type of simply construct off of it.”
Maye’s accuracy, playmaking, and studying from his uncommon mistake had been spectacular. However his day was much more spectacular realizing he did not have prime goal Stefon Diggs on the sector with him outdoors for perhaps 5 performs. It was loads of Douglas, Boutte and his tight ends who had been making performs in opposition to the Commanders secondary.
Diggs appeared spry and wasn’t afraid of creating contact or reducing on his surgically repaired knee by any means. He received appears to be like from Maye on a hitch route on his first snap; one in every of Maye’s off-target throws on an out route that went off Diggs’ hand; a fade into the top zone that was shut; and a dig route ultimately zone the place Diggs received held earlier than the ball arrived.
It looks like one of many final main guidelines gadgets for the Patriots is to have Maye and Diggs develop their timing and chemistry between now and Week 1 in opposition to the Raiders.
“I believe anytime you get him within the lineup, it provides a special type of swagger within the huddle,” Maye stated of his 32-year-old receiver.
And if that is on the guidelines, then the event of his offensive line must be one other. The Patriots are working with two rookies — sort out Will Campbell and guard Jared WIlson — on the left aspect of their offensive line. Vikings castoff Garrett Bradbury is trying a bounce-back yr at middle. Veteran proper guard Mike Onwenu and proper sort out Morgan Moses are probably the most dependable males within the entrance 5, and Moses has missed six video games in his previous two seasons.
Maye ought to take a step ahead this yr, however he’ll want that offensive line to play above expectations. That is on prime of Diggs enjoying on the identical stage as he did pre-ACL tear, in addition to the remainder of the Patriots offense stepping up, together with what seems to be a three-headed run sport.
All of it would possibly imply the Pats will not fairly contend for the playoffs in 2025, however they’re on the proper path. Maye seems to be their subsequent chief and one of many league’s subsequent quarterbacks who can ascend in his second season.
