Patriots

3 things Albert Breer is hearing about rookie QB Drake Maye’s development

NFL reporter Albert Breer revealed what he's hearing from Patriots insiders about Maye's development during his first month in New England.

By Faith Pinnow

May 31, 2024

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Exactly four weeks ago, Drake Maye stepped onto the field at Gillette Stadium for the very first time as a Patriot.

The No. 3 overall draft pick’s introductory press conference signaled a new era in New England. Under the guidance of new head coach Jerod Mayo and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, Maye is touted to become an elite NFL signal caller.

And while it’s still too early to say whether or not that prophecy will come true, the team’s second voluntary OTA session on Wednesday offered insight into the rookie QB’s development.

According to NFL reporter Albert Breer, the former Tar Heel is displaying “encouraging” improvements. The insider joined 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Toucher and Hardy” show Friday to share what he’s heard from the Patriots’ top brass about their new quarterback.

Elite third-level accuracy

It’s been said time and time again: Maye’s arm strength is exceptional.

“He’s able to get the ball down the field in a way that a lot of other quarterbacks can’t,” Breer said.

The 6-foot-4, 223 pound quarterback has a rocket launcher for an arm. According to Pro Football Focus, Maye had the highest passing grade (99 percent) in college football on 20-plus yard throws since 2022.

These deep passes — which Maye can execute from the pocket or while on the run — have the potential to open up a Patriots offense that tied for the lowest scoring in the league in 2023.

Going through QB progressions

It’s one thing to learn Van Pelt’s playbook, but in order to truly see routes break-open, Maye has to study the exact progression of each play.

Doing so allows him to quickly assess his options on each route, while knowing exactly how long he’ll have protection.

“They see him going through progressions. Like 1-to-2-to-3,” Breer said. “It’s very different doing it now than it is in a game, but that fact that he’s able to do it this early on in a practice setting is a good sign.”

3 Things @AlbertBreer is hearing about Drake Maye’s development pic.twitter.com/VY6MlslReZ

— 98.5 The Sports Hub (@985TheSportsHub) May 31, 2024

Calm and collected

“Maybe the most important thing when it comes to putting him on the field in the fall, is he’s not panicking,” Breer said.

The rookie quarterback, already, has faced moments of uncertainty on practice field. But even when he’s confronted with something he doesn’t know, Maye is able to execute on the fly with poise.

“They don’t see him out of sorts when the picture gets jumbled, because that’s going to happen with rookie quarterbacks,” Breer said. “That’s the sort of thing that like gives you some confidence like ‘okay, if we put him out there and he has a bad play or two, it’s not gonna come undone.”

Breer added that the Patriots’ emphasis on fundamentals — like footwork — will serve Maye come fall, when he’ll be inevitably forced to improvise during a game.

“A lot of the bad habits can come back. So you want to make sure the teaching you’re doing is creating a foundation that’s gonna be sustainable before you put him out there,” Breer said.