The New England Patriots will play their first football game of the season on Thursday night against the Indianapolis Colts, but don’t expect their starting quarterback to take part in the action.
As head coach Mike Vrabel said during a press conference ahead of his team’s joint practice with the Colts on Tuesday, he does not anticipate Drake Maye to take the field in the first preseason game.
“I wouldn’t anticipate seeing Drake out there on Thursday, but that’s all subject to change,” Vrabel explained.
“That’s kind of where my mindset is right now, standing here today. Really, it’s just important that we get the work in and get things accomplished that we’re looking to get accomplished. That can always change, but I wouldn’t anticipate that happening right now.”
Maye not playing in the preseason opener would be a change of course for the third-year quarterback. He played six snaps in his first ever NFL game as a rookie against the Panthers in 2024, followed by a 14-snap outing in last year’s preseason opener versus the Commanders.
If he indeed sits out the Colts game, the quarterback role will be split by current backup Tommy DeVito and seventh-round rookie Behren Morton against Indianapolis.
As for any other players, Vrabel mentioned a balance between players seeing regular action during Tuesday’s practice and Thursday’s game.
“A lot of the front-line players and whoever’s available, some of the guys maybe won’t get as much work today, will get extensive work in the game on Thursday,” he said. “That’s just how it goes. Let’s see how today goes and we can always adjust and plan accordingly.”
