The New England Patriots are now Drake Maye’s team.
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo announced Tuesday that the franchise was turning the page from veteran Jacoby Brissett to Maye, the No. 3 overall pick in this spring’s NFL Draft, as the starting quarterback beginning with Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans.
While the Texans, and a swarming defense built around pass rushers Will Anderson II and Danielle Hunter present a colossal challenge for the rookie quarterback in his NFL debut, Maye believes he has one critical key to success.
“I think the biggest thing is me playing on time,” Maye told reporters. “Playing in rhythm and trusting the guys around me. The game plan is not going to change. … What we do on offense is what we do on offense. I’m not trying to give too much hints toward the game plan.”
Houston enters Sunday’s game with the NFL’s fifth-leading passing defense, holding opponents to just 173.4 passing yards per game with 15 sacks already on their resumè.
Meanwhile, the Patriots’ offensive line has allowed 19 sacks, with only the Cleveland Browns allowing more so far this season.
After sitting Maye for five weeks, the Patriots now begin the process of evaluating their young quarterback, but his first test will be against one of the league’s most daunting, dominant, and complete defenses.
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