Drake Maye Gearing Up as Potential Week 18 Starter for the Patriots' Quarterback Position
The New England Patriots find themselves in the final week of the regular season, holding onto the top pick in the 2025 NFL draft, thanks to their current standings. A loss against the resting Buffalo Bills could maintain this status.
However, the young QB, Drake Maye, is eager to take the field, despite the likely outcome.
"Stoked for another shot," Maye shared with media members in his Wednesday press session. "We're familiar with the opponents, having played them recently. It might feel like a preseason game, but this could be our last chance with this team. It's a squad that probably won't stay together, so I'm ready for one more go at it with these guys and face off against a tough opponent."
The 1 p.m. ET kickoff at Gillette Stadium on Sunday may have a relaxed atmosphere, as the team's fate is already sealed. The Patriots stand at 3-13, while the Bills lead the AFC East at 13-3, confidently holding onto the league's No. 2 playoff seed.
"Preparing as if I'm starting," Maye assured. "I've been the starter, and I'm eager to take the field and compete. It's crucial to be out there in close games. You learn from these experiences that can't be replicated in practice. I'm ready to give it my all with these guys and leave a positive note."
Maye has seen action in 11 games as a rookie, after being selected third overall in the NFL draft from the University of North Carolina. He has completed 66.8% of his passes for 2,276 yards, with 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions through the air. Additionally, he's rushed for 2 scores and 421 yards on 54 carries.
With the season winding down, Maye shares some reflections.
"It's gone by so fast," Maye said, thinking back to their early preparations. "We were in the QB room, reviewing our basics before training camp. I even brought up rookie minicamp, where I threw a flat pass on an off-script play. We've come a long way. It's been a learning experience, despite the difficulty of the season. I'm excited to see how it develops and I'm supporting my teammates to play one last game on Sunday."
The evaluations continue, but Maye owns the future under center in Foxborough. The decision on how many drives Maye gets against the division champions since 2020 to wrap up the season is yet to be determined.
Maye was cleared from the NFL's concussion protocol in November and evaluated for a head injury following a sideline scramble in their 40-7 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers last weekend. He played in 43 out of 53 offensive snaps, with the team captain Jacoby Brissett covering the remaining time. Sixth-round draft pick Joe Milton III, who has served as the emergency third-string QB throughout the campaign, is also a name to watch as the inactive list for Sunday approaches.
Despite any leader changes, the healthy players are expected to play in the finale.
"The guys are raring to go," Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo stated during his Wednesday press conference. "We'll see how practicing goes today. I'm sure there'll be questions about specific players, but if they're healthy, they'll be out there. Our goal has always been to win, and it won't change now."
Drake Maye's eagerness to play against the New England Patriots was evident in his press session, where he expressed his excitement to face the team again and possibly leave a lasting impression before potentially leaving the squad. Jerod Mayo, the Patriots' head coach, also expressed his team's readiness to play in their final game of the season, emphasizing their continued goal to win, regardless of their already sealed position in the standings. Joe Milton III, the sixth-round draft pick who has served as the emergency third-string quarterback throughout the campaign, is another name to watch as the inactive list for the game against the Buffalo Bills approaches.
