Patriots’ Drake Maye Looking To Stay ‘Smart’ Amid Slow Start

Patriots quarterback Drake Maye's first few practices have been overanalyzed to a ridiculous degree.

No, he hasn't been bad. No, Joe Milton III hasn't outplayed him. No, you shouldn't start sounding the alarms.

Maye, however, has had a slower start than many expected.

New England is playing things safely with the first-round pick, keeping him firmly behind Jacoby Brissett on the depth chart. Maye has repped with the second unit throughout the first week of camp, and has been relatively safe with the football because of it.

Is it a bad thing? No, but it has led to some questioning whether he's being too safe.

"I'm just trying to be smart with it," Maye said Friday. "I feel like I'm throwing the football well down the field, but I still haven't really aired it out yet. I feel like it's coming. I'm looking forward to it, but (I want to) be smart on those plays into coverage. We're trying to get a specific look, and if it's not there, just make the right play."

The Patriots certainly aren't complaining that Maye has taken care of the football through eight practices, throwing just one interceptions across 101 total competitive team reps. New England even plans on giving him greater opportunities moving forward, which is something they wouldn't rush if they felt he weren't ready.

Maye isn't ready to start, but he's getting there. Just slow your roll, everyone.