The New England Patriots have avoided playing their starters in the first two preseason games, including quarterback Drake Maye. Head coach Mike Vrabel has given considerable game time to backup Tommy DeVito and rookie Behren Morton .
New England’s first preseason fixture ended in a draw, and Saturday’s matchup yielded a 24-21 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
After the game, Vrabel was asked if he would rest the starters in the final exhibition game against the Cleveland Browns.
I do not think we have a very deep team, so I think we have to make sure that we are preparing our football team and that we are doing everything that we can to keep our best players available. And if that means playing Thursday as part of preparation, then that is what we will do.
Mike Vrabel said to reporters
The Patriots have conducted two joint practices with the Colts and the Eagles. Drake Maye got a ton of reps, going up against the Eagles’ starters, which Vrabel likely viewed as more valuable experience than playing him in the preseason.
However, the Patriots don’t have a joint session with the Browns. Instead, they will just face off against each other on Thursday. So, it could be a great opportunity for Maye to loosen up his muscles before the regular season kicks off in the second week of September.
Among the reasons Vrabel picked to coach the Patriots was Drake Maye. Maye beat out Joe Milton for the starter’s job, who was later traded to the Dallas Cowboys.
In his first season as QB1, the Patriots reclaimed the AFC East crown from the Buffalo Bills and reached the Super Bowl, which they eventually lost to the Seahawks. Regardless, NFL players voted Maye the 11th-best player in the league. The only two quarterbacks ahead of him are 2024 NFL MVP Josh Allen and the reigning best player in the league,Matthew Stafford.
Maye completed an NFL-best 72% of his passes while throwing for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions. His 8.9 yards per attempt was the league’s best, and he added 450 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
The 2025 season is done and dusted. Sure, the Patriots played in the Super Bowl, but that will be long forgotten if Maye fails to have a similar impact in 2026. However, former Patriots defensive backs coach Eric Mangini believes Maye will be under immense pressure to deliver because they added AJ Brownto the roster.
Is the AJ Brown addition in New England more positive than the addition by subtraction in Philadelphia?… AJ wants to be successful regardless of whatever else happens and that puts a lot of pressure on a young QB.
Mangini said on First Things First
The fans have yet to see Maye and Brown in action in the preseason. Vrabel may unleash them in the Patriots’ payback fixture against Seattle in week one.