Drake Maye impresses and other quick takeaways from Patriots' preseason loss to Eagles (2024)

Patriots

Drake Maye led New England on two scoring drives over his four series during Thursday's loss.

By Conor Ryan

August 15, 2024

FOXBOROUGH — After a brief debut last Thursday in Foxborough, Drake Maye finally showcased why the Patriots believe they might have a franchise quarterback in place moving forward.

The 21-year-old QB impressed in New England’s second preseason game on Thursday night against the Eagles, leading his team on two scoring drives in what was ultimately a 14-13 loss for the Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Maye accumulated 62 total yards on Thursday, completing six of his 11 throws for 47 yards while also rushing for 15 yards off of four carries.

Beyond Maye’s promising drives, New England’s defense continued to land punches following the Matthew Judon trade, but could not hold off the Eagles en route to a 11-point fourth quarter for the visitors.

Here are a few quick takeaways from Thursday’s loss:

Drake Maye makes most of significant reps

There was plenty of outcry last week when Maye was limited to just six total snaps in New England’s preseason victory over the Panthers.

Jerod Mayo stressed that New England didn’t want to put Maye under duress with New England’s backup offensive linemen — while later pledging that the third pick in the 2024 NFL Draft was going to get more reps against the Eagles.

Sure enough, Mayo and the Patriots finally handed Maye more snaps against the Eagles. The rookie QB showcased the athleticism, arm strength, and poise that made him such a coveted prospect coming out of UNC.

Maye led New England on four total drives on Thursday, with the Patriots scoring on both of his series in the second quarter. His opening drive saw New England gain 38 yards off of eight plays, ending with a 51-yard field goal from Joey Slye.

With the ball back in Maye’s hands later in the second, he frequently used his legs and several quick throws to avoid pressure and negate some of New England’s deficiencies on the offensive line.

Maye turned a collapsing pocket into a 23-yard gain off a screen pass to JaMycal Hasty before eventually rushing into the end zone on a four-yard, read-option keeper to give New England a 10-3 lead.

Even though New England did not score on Maye’s final two drives, he again managed to highlight some of his strengths under center, uncorking a deep ball to Javon Baker that the rookie wideout could not corral.

Yes, it’s just the preseason and there were things to clean up … but Maye passed his first legitimate test against NFL competition on Thursday, and should be in line for an even greater role moving forward.

As for the other Patriots QBs?

While Maye made the most of his opportunity on Thursday, the same can’t be said for presumed QB1 Jacoby Brissett.

The veteran quarterback started Thursday’s game and had the ball for two series — but did little to cement his status atop the depth chart. Brissett completed just three of his seven pass attempts for 17 yards, including a brutal interception while trying to force a ball to Austin Hooper in the end zone.

Joe Milton III entered the game in the fourth quarter, with the rookie completing two of his seven throws while under constant pressure behind New England’s third-string O-line. Bailey Zappe entered the game for New England’s final drive, completing three of his four throws for 29 yards.

Still work to be done on the O-line

On paper, New England’s offensive line wasn’t as decimated as it was during Tuesday’s debacle during joint practice against the Eagles — at least until New England’s third-stringers entered the game in the fourth quarter.

Granted, some of those promising early returns might have been a result of Philadelphia resting most of its starters, while Maye’s scrambling and quick throws also limited just how much time he spent in the pocket on Thursday.

But there is still plenty of work to be done at the tackle position, with starting left tackle Vederian Lowe beat clean in the third quarter — leading to a crushing sack delivered by Nolan Smith on what stood as Maye’s final play of the evening.

Maye was very impressive on Thursday, but any positive gains he makes during a rebuilding 2024 season could be negated in a hurry if he keeps getting slammed into the turf this fall.

It is worth noting that rookie tackle Caedan Wallace had a good night, including a nice block out at the second level on Maye’s touchdown run in the second quarter.

However, things went off the rails in the fourth, with Milton sacked twice off of two miscues from Atonio Mafi. An awful snap from Liam Fornadel also sealed New England’s loss, with Philly recovering the ball and negating what was looking like a promising final drive for Zappe.

Good and bad from rookie wideouts

While no New England pass-catcher stuffed the stat sheet on Thursday, rookie Ja’Lynn Polk did showcase some of his stop-and-start skills with this double-juke move in the second.

Baker moved the sticks with a 12-yard pickup off a throw over the middle from Maye in the second quarter, but failed to reel in Maye’s deep throw in the third quarter that would have been the top play of the night.

Baker’s talent is evident, but drops have been an issue out of the gate for the rookie since training camp commenced.

Bringing the pressure

In their first game since Matthew Judon was dealt to the Falcons, New England’s defense still flexed some of its pass-rushing muscle against the Eagles.

Again, Philadelphia rested most of its starters, but the Patriots still racked up five sacks on Thursday, including three from defensive stalwarts in Keion White, Deatrich Wise, and Josh Uche.

New England’s ability to generate momentum-shifting plays on defense might be limited with Judon dealt and Christian Barmore (blood clots) potentially out for the season, but there are still a few regulars on this roster who can bring it when called upon.

New England’s defense faltered late, with the Eagles reeling off 11 points in the fourth quarter, including a two-point conversion that give Philly a one-point lead in the closing minutes of the game.

Special teams report

Is Joey Slye winning the kicker competition?

On Thursday, it was Slye who was given the opportunity to kick both of New England’s field goals, connecting on a 51-yard attempt in the second and a 45-yard kick in the fourth.

Ryland, taken in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, was limited to just an extra point after Maye’s touchdown run.

Bryce Baringer had another strong night, including a 63-yard punt in the first quarter that pinned the Eagles on their own two-yard line.

Jalen Reagor impressed in his first kickoff return, bringing the ball back 32 yards on the 36-yard line. In the fourth quarter, David Wallis returned a kickoff 53 yards — leading to Slye’s field goal just minutes later. Wallis did muff a punt later in the fourth,

Injuries and inactives

Here’s a list of all of the Patriots players who did not play on Thursday night:

TE Hunter Henry, G Cole Strange, WR Kendrick Bourne, LB Sione Takitaki, S/LB Marte Mapu, DT Christian Barmore, LB Ja’Whaun Bentley, S Kyle Dugger, S Jabrill Peppers, CB Shaun Wade, CB Marcus Jones, CB Jonathan Jones.

New England was struck by some brutal news later in Thursday’s game, as undrafted free agent JaQuae Jackson needed to be carted off the field after suffering what appeared to be a non-contact leg injury. An awful development for Jackson, who had a strong preseason — including a touchdown catch last week against the Panthers.

LIVE UPDATES

9:42: Philly making a late push — with a two-point conversion giving the Eagles a 14-13 lead with 4:23 to go.

9:24: Joey Slye connects on a 45-yard field goal — his second of the game. Chad Ryland still not on for a field-goal attempt yet.

9:19: They’re bringing the cart out for Patriots wideout JaQuae Jackson. Looked like a non-contact knee injury. Brutal.

9:18: There’s the new kickoff rules put on full display. Nice return from David Wallis.

9:16: Joe Milton III now in at quarterback.

9:12: New England’s defense bends but does not break on this drive — Elliott’s field goal attempt is good. Patriots still lead, 10-6.

9:03: Looks like Joe Milton is warming up on the sideline.

8:58: Patriots are punting. Vederian Lowe whiffs on the left side and Maye is sacked.

8:54: Drake Maye back out there once again for his fourth series.

8:42: A great throw from Maye to Javon Baker, but the rookie wideout drops it. Patriots punting.

8:38: Drake Maye is back for the start of the third quarter.

8:16: Halftime: Patriots lead the Eagles, 10-3.

8:09: Drake Maye runs it in himself. Ryland connects on the extra point. 10-3 Patriots. This is … fun?

10-3 Patriots.

8:05: Maye connects with JaMycal Hasty on a 23-yard pickup off a screen. Maye got the ball out quick there.

8:01: Nice double-juke move from Polk for a first down. Nice play by a pair of rookies.

8:00: A day after the Judon trade, Keion White, Deatrich Wise, and Joshua Uche now all have first half sacks.

7:53: Keion White with a 12-yard sack. Nice showing from another pass-rusher set for more reps with Judon gone.

7:52: Jermiah Pharms (who was great last week vs. Carolina) and Joshua Bledsoe just smoked Pickett — who just manages to get the ball out.

7:48: Joey Slye connects on a 51-yard field goal. 3-3 game.

7:44: Maye scrambles for 6 yards, and then hits Javon Baker for 12 yards for a first down. Progress!

7:43: False start on Vederian Lowe.

7:43: Drake Maye into the game to start the second.

7:39: End First: Eagles lead, 3-0.

7:39: A 1-yard sack for New England’s new top pass rusher in Josh Uche.

7:37: Drake Maye is warming up.

7:30: Brissett back out for another series — and it doesn’t go well. Another 3-and-out, with Brissett missing some throws once again.

7:26: Jake Elliott connects on a 42-yard field goal. 3-0 Eagles.

7:20: Brissett is picked off by Avonte Maddox in the end zone. Brissett was trying to hit Hooper, but man — he forced that throw.

7:17: Nice 9-yard pickup from Austin Hooper.

7:10: Great punt from Baringer, who pins Philly at their own 1-yard line.

7:09: 3 and out for New England’s offense. Brissett had a chance to extend the drive, but his throw to Hooper falls short.

7:05: Patriots win the coin toss and will take the ball to start.

7:04: Pretty quiet night here in Foxborough.

6:52: Here’s a look at some of the players not expected to play for New England tonight:

6:47: Sure looks like New England’s O-line hasn’t changed:

LT: Vederian Lowe
LG: Sidy Sow
C: David Andrews
RG: Mike Onwenu
RT: Chukwuma Okorafor

6:45: Sure looks like we’re going to see a bunch of Drake Maye tonight.

6:20: Warmups are underway just as the weather begins to clear a bit.

5:46: A nice tribute here from Ja’Lynn Polk.

5:45: Doesn’t seem like the Eagles are rolling with Jalen Hurts or most of their offense tonight. However, Jeff McLane is reporting that a few starters on defense will get a run tonight. That could cause issues for New England’s lackluster O-line.

5:30: Greetings from a very soggy Gillette Stadium. Does seem like the weather is set to clear up a bit just before kick-off.