Two preseason games into his sophomore campaign, New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has yet to light up the scoreboard. The 22-year-old has been on the field for 29 total snaps versus Washington and Minnesota, including 15 dropbacks, and gone a combined 7-for-12 for 58 yards with one sack.
Obviously, the point of preseason is not necessarily to put up gaudy numbers. For Maye and the Patriots’ new-look offense under head coach Mike Vrabel and coordinator Josh McDaniels, it is all about making
the most of the opportunities that present themselves.
Statistically, Maye and the starting offense have not been able to do so. However, their performances against the Commanders and Vikings did provide them with plenty of data points and areas to improve. On Monday, ahead of New England’s 17th practice of this summer’s training camp, Vrabel highlighted a few of the what he called “little details” his team and its young QB need to work on fixing.
“We have to be able to connect on passes like the one to [DeMario Douglas], making sure that both the receiver and the quarterback are on the same page and that the ball placement is where it needs to be,” he said, highlighting a first-quarter incompletion against Minnesota on Saturday that nearly resulted in an interception.
“I would say the tipped balls, especially ones that are over the middle of the field or towards the middle of the field, are going to end up intercepted. He’s continuing to improve and continuing to help us. I like where he’s at, it’s just we’ve got to fix that.”
Vrabel added another potential area of improvement, namely his QB — who fits the mold of a modern dual-threat at the position — finding a way to limit his exposure to hits. Given that Maye underwent in-game concussion evaluation twice during his 2024 rookie season, the concern is a valid one.
“We talked to him about not taking a senseless hit outside the pocket on 2nd-and-10,” Vrabel said. “If there’s nobody there, throw it away, and we’ll try to convert on third down. Just being smart and understanding those little details.”
That particular part of Vrabel’s wish list for his offense was not an issue during the practice immediately following his meeting with the media on Monday.
The other details he pointed out, however, remained a work in progress: led by linebacker Robert Spillane’s two interceptions of Maye, the defense won the day.
